Human rights in Haiti : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 46/7 of 11 October 1991 and 46/138 of 17 December 1991,

Guided by the principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Human Rights,

Aware of its responsibility for the promotion and encouragement of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, and resolved to keep a close watch on human rights violations wherever they may occur,

Reaffirming that all Member States are required to promote and protect human rights and to comply with the obligations laid down in the various instruments in this field,

Taking note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1992/77 of 5 March 1992 in which the Commission decided to appoint a special rapporteur with a mandate to prepare a report on the situation of human rights in Haiti based on the information which the special rapporteur deemed relevant, especially information supplied by the Organization of American States, with a view to submitting an interim report to the General Assembly at its forty-seventh session and a report to the Commission on Human Rights at its forty-ninth session,

Deeply concerned about the grave events occurring in Haiti since 29 September 1991, which abruptly and violently interrupted the democratic process in that country and have resulted in the loss of human lives and the violation of human rights,

Concerned also at the mass exodus of Haitian nationals from the country because of the deteriorating political and economic situation since 29 September 1991,

Deeply alarmed by the persistence and worsening of serious violations of human rights, in particular summary and arbitrary executions, forced disappearances, torture and rape, arbitrary arrests and detentions and denial of freedom of expression, assembly and association,

Welcoming the measures taken by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to express support for the Organization of American States, in particular through the participation of his Personal Representative in the mission of the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States that visited Haiti from 18 to 21 August 1992,

1.         Commends the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights, Mr. Marco Tulio Bruni Celli, for his report on the situation of human rights in Haiti and supports the recommendations contained therein;

2.         Once again condemns the overthrow of the constitutionally elected President, Mr. Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the use of violence and military coercion and the subsequent deterioration of the situation of human rights in Haiti;

3.         Expresses its deep concern about the substantial worsening of the human rights situation in Haiti during the year 1992 and the resulting increase in violations of the human rights embodied in the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the American Convention on Human Rights:"Pact of San Jos?, Costa Rica" and other international human rights instruments;

4.         Condemns the recurrence of the flagrant human rights violations committed under the illegal government that took power following the coup of 29 September 1991, in particular summary executions, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, searches without warrant, rape, restrictions on freedom of movement, expression, assembly and association and the repression of popular demonstrations calling for the return of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide;

5.         Calls the attention of the international community to the fate of the Haitian nationals who are fleeing the country not only, as pointed out by the Special Rapporteur in his report, because of the serious deterioration in economic and social conditions, but also because of indiscriminate political persecution and repression;

6.         Expresses its appreciation to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the work it is doing in favour of the Haitian nationals fleeing the country and invites Member States to continue to give financial and material support to its efforts;

7.         Calls upon the States Members of the United Nations and of other international organizations to increase their humanitarian assistance to the people of Haiti, to support all efforts to resolve the problems of displaced persons and to encourage the strengthening of institutional coordination among the specialized agencies and between the United Nations and the Organization of American States;

8.         Decides to keep the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Haiti under review during its forty-eighth session and to consider it further in the light of the information supplied by the Commission on Human Rights and the Economic and Social Council.