UN Haiti deeply concerned by the recent increase in homophobic violence

The UN Mission and United Nations agencies and programmes in Haiti are deeply concerned by the recent increase in homophobic violence in the country. The UN urges all Haitians to continue working together towards the construction of a state based on the respect for the rule of law; respect for others, tolerance, individual dignity and human rights. The UN family takes this opportunity to echo the 21 July statement by la Ministre Déléguée auprès du Premier Ministre Chargée des Droits Humains et de la Lutte Contre la Pauvreté Extrême where she notes that “tolerance, love, solidarity, serenity, and the respect for others, as well as fraternity, and justice for all remain the foundations of a growing democratic society”. All persons, regardless of sexual and gender identity, should enjoy free and equal rights to live in peace and tranquility. The opening words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are unequivocal: ‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights’ and find resonance in Article 19 of the Haitian Constitution stipulating the right “to life, health, and respect of the human person for all citizens without distinction, in conformity with the Universal Declaration of the Human Rights”. The UN family calls on civil society and on all key actors including political, religious and community leaders to use their considerable influence to inspire respect for rights and to encourage restraint from expressions of hatred and contempt. The UN appreciates the intervention of the national authorities to rescue victims of violence and urges increased efforts to prevent further incidents and to prosecute and hold accountable those responsible for the violence.