Expresses its thanks to the Secretary-General, his Special Representative for Haiti and the independent expert of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Haiti for their continuing efforts in favour of the consolidation of democratic institutions in Haiti and the respect for human rights in that country;
2
Welcomes the decision of the Government of Haiti to distribute throughout the country, with the support of the International Civilian Mission in Haiti, the report of the National Commission of Truth and Justice of February 1996 and to initiate legal action in serious cases;
3
Encouragesthe Government of Haiti to continue its work on the reform of the judicial system, underlining the priority of that reform in the framework of the bilateral and multilateral assistance provided by the international community, including the United Nations Development Programme, and in this connection calls upon all sectors of Haitian society concerned to adopt coordinated measures with a view to the enhancement of the system for the administration of justice, which is essential to ensure respect for human rights;
4
Calls uponthe Haitian authorities to mobilize the political will for the pursuit of reform and for the strengthening of the judicial system and the improvement of the country’s prisons;
5
Expresses its deep concern at the prolonged political stalemate, which presents considerable risks for democracy, economic and social development and respect for human rights, and in this regard urges the authorities and political leaders to continue their efforts to resolve the crisis so that the appointment of a Prime Minister may be ratified by the Parliament without further delay;
6
Notes with satisfaction the putting into operation by the Government of Haiti of the Office of the Ombudsman, and invites the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to contribute to its strengthening through a programme of technical cooperation, so that it may develop into a national institution for the promotion of human rights, open to wide participation by civil society;
7
Invitesthe international community, including the Bretton Woods institutions, to continue their involvement in the reconstruction and development of Haiti, having regard for the fragility of the political, social and economic situation of the country;
8
Encouragesthe Government of Haiti to ratify the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,2 the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment7 and the Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;8
