UN representatives urge stronger action to curb violence against women in Haiti

Representatives speaking on behalf of Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and France told the United Nations Security Council on Feb. 24, 2025, that rising gang violence in Haiti is producing severe harms to women and girls and requires immediate, concrete steps.

The Representative of France, speaking for the group, said, "We express our unwavering support for all the women and girls of Haiti" and called for measures to strengthen the Haitian National Police's capacity to respond to gender-based violence and to regain control of areas affected by gangs.

The statement said the violence is widespread across Haiti, singled out the Antibonite and Northwest regions, and described human rights violations and a dire humanitarian situation. It said member states should increase support for the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti and for the Multinational Security Support Mission, and urged other states to contribute personnel and funding.

Speakers also called for better enforcement of the existing arms embargo and for stepped-up efforts to combat illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, which the statement linked to "the vast majority of incidents" of gender-based violence. The statement expressed support for additional targeted Security Council sanctions against perpetrators, citing designations approved by a sanctions committee in September 2024.

The Representative of France urged measures to fight impunity, ensure survivors can access justice and care, and boost women's "full, equal, and meaningful participation in governing bodies and decision making" as part of broader efforts to set up an inclusive political process and hold free and fair elections. The statement also called for an approach based on accountability, the rule of law and full respect for human rights, and referenced the Secretary-General's letter dated Feb. 24, 2025, as underscoring the urgency of the multidimensional crisis in Haiti.

No formal Security Council decision or vote was recorded in the statement; the remarks were a joint appeal and not a Council resolution. The statement named multiple priorities for member-state action but did not provide funding amounts, deployment timetables, or an implementation plan.

The joint statement was delivered on behalf of the following countries: Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and France.