UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FIELD UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FIELD HAITI: UNITED NATIONS MISSION FOR JUSTICE SUPPORT IN HAITI (MINUJUSTH) Population size1 Surface area1 Human Development Index2 NHRI (if applicable)3 11.11 million 28,000 km² 0.498 (rank: 167/188 in 2016) Status A, 2013 Type of engagement Peace Mission Year established 2004 as MINUSTAH; 2017 as MINUJUSTH Field office(s) Port-au-Prince UN partnership framework United Nations Development Assistance Framework 2016-2021 Staff as of 31 December 2018 21 XB requirements 2018 US$ 408,400 Key OMP pillars in 2018 123 Please refer to Data sources and notes on p.191. KEY PILLAR RESULTS: Mechanisms (M) M1 – The Interministerial Committee meets regularly and, basing itself on a national action plan, takes action to implement recommendations made by international human rights mechanisms. OHCHR enhanced the capacity of the national mechanism for integrated reporting and the implementation of recommendations by providing specialized training and advocating for the development of a national human rights action plan. The Human Rights Service (HRS) of MINUJUSTH consistently advocated for the appointment of a high-level human rights focal point in the executive branch in order to facilitate the development of a national human rights action plan. In September, the Prime Minister of Haiti appointed a Minister Delegate for Human Rights and the Fight against Extreme Poverty to coordinate the Interministerial 238 UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2018 Committee on Human Rights (IMCHR), the body in charge of developing the national human rights action plan. In February, OHCHR facilitated a workshop to enhance the capacity of IMCHR’s 16 members (five women, 11 men) to draft reports and conduct follow-up on the implementation of treaty body recommendations. In October, the HRS and the IMCHR co-organized a workshop on the elaboration of Haiti’s second periodic report to the Human Rights Committee. On 20 December, Haiti submitted to the Human Rights Committee its second report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Participation (P) P1 – The Office of the National Human Rights Ombudsperson (OPC) retains its legal standing and receives the resources it requires to operate independently in all departments. The OPC has been acknowledged since 2013 as independent and functional, reflecting the highest status of compliance with the Paris Principles endorsed by the General Assembly. In 2018, the Executive announced a significant increase of the Ombudsperson’s budget. By providing technical assistance, MINUJUSTH contributed to the effective functioning of the OPC, in conformity with international standards. In October, following two workshops organized by the HRS to strengthen the capacity of the OPC to monitor, document and advocate on human rights violations, 66 members of the OPC and representatives of local human rights organizations enhanced their skills. Two additional workshops were organized specifically for civil society organizations in August and December, attended by over 70 participants. The HRS consequently observed increased professionalism and accuracy in the monitoring, investigation and reporting of allegations of human rights violations by the participating organizations. MINUJUSTH also contributed to consolidating OPC capacities and to extending the regional coverage of the OPC by supporting the establishment of two regional offices in Jeremie and St-Marc. Accountability (A) A1 – The General Inspectorate of the Haitian National Police (IGHNP) and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (SCJ) function effectively and consistently investigate and prosecute serious violations. The Office contributed to an improvement in the compliance of the IGHNP with international human rights norms in its investigation and prosecution of human rights violations, including by documenting incidents and providing technical assistance. With support from HRS, the IGHNP worked on standardizing its criteria for the qualification of human rights violations to improve accountability for violations committed by the national police. HRS provided technical assistance to develop the Inspectorate’s ability to distinguish between allegations of human rights violations and incidents of misconduct. Between January and December 2018, HRS documented 142 human rights violations. The IGHNP conducted administrative investigations in 82 of them and recommended sanctions in 21 cases, 11 of which were implemented. Only six allegations of human rights violations have been transferred for judicial proceedings. This reflects an improvement in relation to the previous reporting period in which only one incident proceeded to the prosecution stage. Peace and Security (PS) PS6 – HRDDP implementation mechanisms and procedures have been established; these ensure that HRDDP is implemented fully. MINUJUSTH developed standard operating procedures (SOPs) on the basis of the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP) that were signed on 1 June. A presentation of the SOPs and the implications of the HRDDP were presented to national and international stakeholders. A general risk assessment was developed regarding support provided by the United Nations Police to the Haitian national police, including in relation to demonstration and crowd control and unilateral or joint operations by the national police. The assessment covers human rights violations documented by the human rights components and identifies risk factors from 2015 until the release of the report in November 2018. In addition, under the Non-Discrimination pillar, the Office worked to address and reduce discrimination against LGBTI persons. The Haitian LGBTI organization, Kouraj Pou Pwoteje Dwa Moun (Courage to Protect Human Rights), was awarded funding from MINUJUSTH for a six-month project titled Community intervention oriented to LGBTI persons. This was part of the Office’s work to address discrimination being faced by LGBTI persons under the Non-Discrimination pillar. In order to address and reduce discrimination against members of the LGBTI community, between July and September 2018, Kouraj carried out 20 sensitization workshops with community members and provide training to 15 representatives of other NGOs on how to fight homophobia and promote tolerance, equality and security. Additionally, 15 LGBTI youth who have been rejected by their families benefitted from psychological support and employment assistance. MINUJUSTH increasingly integrated international human rights norms, standards and principles into its work. UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2018 239