NEW YORK: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for the deployment of multinational police to disarm gangs in Haiti, Reuters reported on Tuesday.
Antonio Guterres told the Security Council that military assets should be used to restore law and order in Haiti.
Last year Haiti requested for international help to fight violent gangs that have largely overrun the capital Port-au-Prince.
Guterres has proposed that a rapid-action international force should be sent to assist Haiti’s police.
UN Seeks Multinational Police to Disarm Gangs in Haiti
Last month the Security Council; had encouraged countries to provide security support to Haiti. It also sought a detailed report from Guterres within 30 days on a full range of U.N. options, including non-U.N. multinational force or a possible peacekeeping operation in Haiti.
In his report, the UN Secretary-General said Haiti’s current situation is not favorable for peacekeeping, adding that law and order must be restored in Haiti. He said gangs should be disarmed and strategic installations need to be secured to bring stability in the country.
He viewed that a capable specialized multinational police force coordinated with the national police would be able to bring peace in the country.
Last year by Human Rights Watch, in a report, said police in Haiti had failed to stop criminal Gangs due to its limited resources. According to experts, criminal gangs now control some 80% of Port-au-Prince.
There are only about 10,000 police officials for more than 11 million people in Haiti. More than 30 officers were killed from January to June, and more than 400 police facilities have been destroyed in criminal attacks.
