Summary: Februry 18, 2004: Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Haiti (Brussels)
The European Union is greatly concerned at the recent outbreaks of violence in a number of provincial towns. It calls on all political forces, without exception, to refrain from any kind of violent behaviour.
The marked deterioration in the security situation has been accompanied by serious violations of human rights and democratic rules. The European Union deplores yet further instances of armed gangs disrupting peaceful demonstrations on 12 and 15 February 2004.
The European Union would point out that in Kingston on 31 January 2004 President Aristide accepted CARICOM's proposed prior action plan. Upholding the right of peaceful demonstration was a key part of that plan.
The European Union is alarmed at the frequent breaches of international humanitarian law. It would remind all concerned of their duty to respect personnel, establishments, vehicles and medical facilities. The Red Cross emblem symbolises that protection and must be respected.
The European Union strongly believes that the present crisis in Haiti must be resolved peacefully, by seeking dialogue and compromise. All constitutional solutions should be considered. In particular, the European Union supports the CARICOM initiative and urges all parties to endorse it.
The Union calls on the Haitian authorities to honour the commitments given by President Aristide and put them into practice, in accordance with the timetable agreed in the action plan.
The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves
with this declaration.
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