Haiti

Author: Ralph Stanley Jean Brice, Inspector General, National Police of Haiti

The implementation of Haiti’s National Action Plan for the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap has been marked by a number of challenges to overcome, but also by notable accomplishments so far.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

On the side of accomplishments, it is worth highlighting the drafting of a proposed law aimed at modernising the management of weapons and ammunition in Haiti, with technical support from UNLIREC, BINUH, and UNDP. This proposal, entitled “Draft Decree on Modernized Control of Weapons”, aims to strengthen the Haitian legislative framework on firearms control in order to combat the illicit proliferation of weapons in the country.

Additionally, the creation of the Justice and Security subgroup within the National Strategy on Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration and Community Violence Reduction (DDR-CVR) Task Force was an important step. This coordination and reflection space allows for addressing the issue of disarmament and dismantling in collaboration with the sectors of Justice, Security, and Customs.

Furthermore, the training and capacity-building provided by UNLIREC to national actors in the fight against illicit firearms trafficking have been very successful. Haiti’s active participation in various regional and international fora on weapons and ammunition management and the fight against illicit trafficking has also been a key factor in sharing experiences and best practices and keeping up to date with technology in this area.

CHALLENGES:

Despite the progress made, obstacles remain in the collection and management of data related to firearms due to a lack of coordination and interministerial and interinstitutional exchange. It is essential to strengthen collaboration between the various government entities involved in regulating weapons in order to ensure compliance with the arms embargo, travel bans, and asset freezes targeting individuals and entities threatening the peace, security, and stability of the country.

Institutional and political instability in Haiti also present a major challenge. This undermines the implementation of a coherent policy and sometimes delays the adoption and execution of planned measures, as was the case with the firearms law.

LESSONS LEARNT/ NEXT STEPS:

It is crucial to learn from these accomplishments and challenges in order to define the next steps and priorities for Haiti in 2025. Among the actions to be undertaken, it is essential to strengthen cooperation with regional and international partners, particularly through bilateral initiatives for weapons and ammunition management. It is also vital to enhance the legal framework on weapons and ammunition in Haiti and promote the adoption and dissemination of the proposed law on modernised weapons and ammunition management. Additionally, all commitments outlined in the Roadmap for 2025 must be fulfilled.