Chinese envoy voices concern over situation in Haiti

UNITED NATIONS, June 19 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Friday voiced concern over the situation in Haiti and asked the Haitian government to break the country's political deadlock through negotiations.

Political deadlock and polarization in Haiti continue, and attempts to forge a negotiated agreement and push for constitutional reform are not successful, said Yao Shaojun, China's acting deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

State institutions are paralyzed and the security situation worsens with the increase of violent activities, while the economic outlook deteriorates and poses challenges to the humanitarian situation and people's livelihood, he told a virtual meeting of the Security Council. "China is concerned over the whole situation."

China calls on the Haitian authorities to commit to solving differences through negotiations and to create conditions for a negotiated agreement. It urges the Haitian government to strengthen the rule of law, ensure the security of its people, and improve its ability of self-development to deliver basic services, said Yao.

All parties in Haiti should put people first, try hard to respond to the people's wishes and regain their confidence. All political actors should take advantage of the opportunities for cooperation arising from pandemic response to build trust and work together to address the root causes of Haiti's political and institutional instability, he said.

The international community, in particular those actors who have important influence in Haiti, should strengthen economic, humanitarian, and technical support to Haiti and help the country achieve stability, improve people's livelihood, and implement the 2030 Agenda, he said.

The Security Council on Friday heard a briefing by Helen La Lime, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Haiti and head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti.