Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 40th Session

Universal Periodic Review of Haiti

Statement by Australia

31 January 2022

Thank you, [President/Vice President]

Australia welcomes the engagement of Haiti in the Universal Periodic Review process.   We recognise the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, the assassination of President Moïse and recent earthquakes, on Haiti’s political, security and socio-economic situation.

Australia believes that strengthening the rule of law and democratic institutions and ensuring accountability for human rights violations are essential to protecting human rights, and promoting economic development and reconciliation in Haiti.

Australia recommends that Haiti:

1. Adopt policies and measures to return to normal democratic practices, strengthen the rule of law, and allow State institutions to operate impartially and free from political interference.
2. Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women and enshrine gender equality including by accelerating regulatory measures to criminalise all forms of sexual and gender-based violence and harassment.
3. Allocate appropriate resources to the judicial system and complete trials in reasonable timeframes, impartially and free from political interference.