State of Emergency Declared in Haiti by President Moise As He Seeks Help from the UN

Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse declared a state of emergency in many parts of the country in an effort to reduce the upsurge in crime.

A state of emergency for Haiti will be a situation in which certain fundamental freedoms are restricted in areas where there are any gangs for one month. Certain rights will be suspended in order to allow the National Police of Haiti (PNH) to regain control of the country.

The decision was adopted by the Council of Ministers, as it was justified because there was an imminent national disaster, breaches of public order, endangering of national security which required the adoption of urgent measures.

On Friday, there was an incident in the Village de Dieu slum, where kidnapped victims were kept, 4 officers were killed and 8 were injured after there was an attempt to raid the gang’s stronghold. Their high powered weapons and armoured vehicles were seized and President Moise declared that it was an act of war against the state. 

The President made a plea to Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations before the state of emergency was implemented. He asked for logistical and technical assistance for the police and he also wanted to strengthen the poverty reduction program.

Luis Almagro, the Secretary General of the (OAS) Organization of American States was also called on for help earlier in the week.

Moise wants to build a more, just united and prosperous Haiti and believes dialogue will help to resolve the current crisis.