A/HRC/11/5 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 26 March 2009 English Original: French HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Eleventh session Item 10 of the agenda TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY-BUILDING REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXPERT ON THE SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN HAITI, MICHEL FORST* Summary In the area of civil and political rights, notable progress has been made with the passing of the framework laws on the reform of the judicial profession, the Supreme Council of the Judiciary and the independence of the Judicial Training College, but there is still a long way to go before the country’s criminal justice system meets the imperatives of the rule of law. The appointment of the President of the Court of Cassation, who is also President of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, is a crucial factor in the implementation of the reforms in this respect. The security situation has progressed, the number of kidnappings has fallen and the main gang bosses have been arrested. While these are significant advances and encouraging signs, the situation still remains precarious. The reform of the Haitian National Police and the vetting process begun by it with the support of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) are a major test of the determination to effectively overhaul one of the cornerstones of the rule of law. The decisions which will be taken with a view to removing undesirable elements from the Haitian National Police in compliance with statutory provisions will signal to the population the commitment to re-establishing State authority. The MINUSTAH Human Rights Section should be involved in monitoring the entire procedure. The issue of violence against women and girls, in particular rape, and issues relating to lynchings, human trafficking and deportees are still matters of concern. __________________ * Late submission. GE.09-12697 V.09-83379 (E)