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Haiti: China demands Security Council embargo on small arms sales

China has demanded the United Nations Security Council impose an embargo on small arms sales to Haiti, sanction gang leaders and even favor the deployment of police forces from regional states to the Caribbean nation, where violence has turned gangrenous. , diplomatic sources said yesterday Thursday.

The recommendation to take these measures was made as part of the process to renew the mandate of the UN civilian mission, which formally expires tonight. The two countries tasked with handling Haiti’s file in the SA, the US and Mexico, did not foresee getting this far in the original draft decision and intensive negotiations are underway on the issue, the same sources clarified.

Sanctions for gang leaders proposed by Beijing include travel bans and asset freezes, according to a draft decision, a copy of which was obtained by AFP but has yet to be finalised.

There has been no comment so far from the US and Mexican delegations to the UN.

The vote, which was normally scheduled to take place the day before Wednesday, is hoped to take place today, but there is uncertainty about the time.

Beijing has become a key player in the United Nations regarding Haiti, especially after Port-au-Prince recognized Taiwan, which was unacceptable to China.

In the past, Beijing, assuring that its stance has nothing to do with the recognition of Taiwan, has highlighted the fact that Haiti remains mired in political and economic crisis, despite international aid and despite the deployment of a peacekeeping force in the Caribbean state. UN mission.

There must be a fight against arms trafficking in Haiti, political authorities must be pressured to emerge from their lethargy and those responsible for atrocities must be punished, a Chinese diplomatic source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Regional police force?

The draft resolution provides for the renewal until October 15, 2023 of the mandate of the United Nations political mission (BINUH), which was established in 2019. It also calls on Haiti’s political parties to urgently agree, within a period of six months or less, in order to start a new political process that will lead to presidential and parliamentary elections.

The small arms embargo also covers ammunition and is intended to stem the tide of kidnappings for ransom and the smuggling of various items into the country.

The text also calls for an immediate end to violent incidents, criminal activity, road blockades, occupations of public buildings and infrastructure.

Beijing further requests that the UN Secretary-General begin consultations with regional states and regional organizations to support the Haitian police and envisage the development of a multinational police force to restore peace and protect fundamental human rights.

At least 89 people have died in a week of gang clashes in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, where prices have soared and fuel shortages are worsening, threatening the distribution of critical humanitarian aid to many residents. .

For over two years now, gangs have been multiplying kidnappings for ransom in the city. They don’t discriminate: they kidnap people of all socio-economic backgrounds and of all nationalities.

SOURCE: APE-ME

Source: Capital

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