U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of Republic of Haiti, 

as delivered by Michele Roulbet

Geneva, Switzerland
26th Session, November 7, 2016

The United States welcomes the Haitian delegation to the UPR Working Group.

We extend our condolences to the victims of Hurricane Matthew, and will continue to support relief and recovery efforts.

The United States looks forward to transparent, credible, and fair elections in Haiti on November 20.

We further commend Haiti for collaborating with the Dominican Republic to improve documentation for Haitian citizens.

We remain concerned at the persistent high numbers of pre-trial detainees.

Haiti also lacks reliable anti-corruption enforcement mechanisms.

While we welcome the first two convictions under the 2014 Trafficking in Persons law in April 2016, investigations into trafficking cases and protections for victims of trafficking are lacking.

We recommend that Haiti:

1. Allocate additional resources to increase case processing and reduce the number of pre-trial detainees.
2. Ensure accountability for human rights abuses, to strengthen the rule of law and break the pervasive cycle of impunity that hinders reconciliation and limits Haiti’s economic development.
3. Vigorously investigate, prosecute, convict, and sentence traffickers, including those responsible for domestic servitude and child sex trafficking.

(end statement)

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