A/HRC/22/65
E.
Situation in the camps
90.
The situation in the camps, forced evictions and the absence of durable solutions
remain issues of significant concern, notwithstanding the initiatives taken by the
Government, with the support of the international community. Providing access to basic
services to people living in the camps remains a major challenge. The independent expert
recommends that MINUSTAH again appeal to the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing
and the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons to share
their expertise and experience with the Government of Haiti. The independent expert also
recommends that a study be conducted to analyse the situation of those persons who have
left the camps.
91.
The number of single-parent families living in the camps has risen, partly because
the strategies developed in transit camps seem to have had an impact on the separation or
break-up of families: men leave the camps and abandon their families to go in search of
work elsewhere. Thus, an increasing number of women are becoming heads of household
and have to meet their families’ needs on their own.
92.
Several organizations working in the camps reported an increase in the number of
cases of gender-based violence and sexual exploitation in the camps at the beginning of the
transition process. The main problems remain follow-up of reported cases, access to
services, and impunity for perpetrators. In many cases, camp inhabitants seem to be afraid
to file complaints against the perpetrators of violence, because they have little faith in the
police or the justice system. With the reduction in the number of camps following the
rollout of transition programmes and the increased presence of police and MINUSTAH in
and around the camps, the number of cases has reportedly declined since June 2012.
V. Protection
93.
The population of Haiti has been living under United Nations protection since
February 1993, i.e. for more than 20 years. This international protection arrangement has
gradually been extended to include many domains, because of the series of disasters that
have beset the country. Everyone understands that this situation cannot continue, even
though a number of conditions must be met to allow for the gradual transfer of international
protection functions to the Haitian authorities, as provided for under the “Transition plan”
set forth in Security Council document S/2012/743.
94.
To provide such protection, the independent expert suggested to the Prime Minister
that a mechanism be established consisting of four main elements.
95.
An interministerial committee on the rule of law should be established under the
authority of an interministerial delegate reporting directly to the Prime Minister or of a
deputy prime minister, to ensure that all ministries, including those that deal with social
affairs, engage in the establishment of the rule of law.
96.
The Office of the Ombudsperson should be given a stronger mandate for providing
protection nationwide against maladministration and abuse of rights.
97.
Protection must be provided against natural hazards and a stronger role given to the
Civil Defence Department, which is responsible for improving coordination of emergency
plans.
98.
Lastly, in anticipation of the departure of MINUSTAH, the Human Rights Section
should now open a bureau of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights in Port-au-Prince, since Haiti will still need to receive international
protection.
GE.13-10672
17
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