The UN Security Council once again called on Thursday, July 1, in a unanimous declaration,
"the urgent holding of free presidential and legislative elections in 2021"
in Haiti, denouncing the climate of violence in the country.
"The members of the Security Council reaffirm their deep concern at the deterioration of political, security and humanitarian conditions in Haiti,"
their statement said.
They call
"on the government to hold perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses to account"
, and
"condemn the increasing violence fueled by gangs"
.
Read also: Haiti, a country adrift, plagued by armed gangs linked to power
The constitutional referendum initially scheduled for April in Haiti, postponed for the first time to June 27 and then again due to the coronavirus epidemic, must be held on September 26. The local and municipal elections have been postponed until January 2022. The first round of the presidential and legislative elections was already due to take place on September 26, and the second to be held on November 21.
Supported by President Jovenel Moïse, the text of the constitutional reform aimed at strengthening the executive is still being drafted.
Two drafts already presented proposed to abolish the Senate and to open the possibility of carrying out two constitutive presidential terms.
It is rejected en bloc by the opposition and many civil society organizations, which denounce the illegitimacy of the head of state's mandate and the impossibility of organizing a poll, given the generalized insecurity.
Read also: Thousands of Haitians demonstrate against the referendum project
Since January 2020, the president has governed by decrees and without checks and balances, due to the lack of elections organized in recent years in Haiti.