Mandate

MINUSTAH was originally set up by Security Council resolution 1542 of 30 April 2004:

• to support the Transitional Government in ensuring a secure and stable environment; to assist in monitoring, restructuring and reforming the Haitian National Police;
• to help with comprehensive and sustainable Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) programmes;
• to assist with the restoration and maintenance of the rule of law, public safety and public order in Haiti;
• to protect United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and equipment and to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence;
• to support the constitutional and political processes;
• to assist in organizing, monitoring, and carrying out free and fair municipal, parliamentary and presidential elections;
• to support the Transitional Government as well as Haitian human rights institutions and groups in their efforts to promote and protect human rights; and
• to monitor and report on the human rights situation in the country.

In the following years, the mandate of MINUSTAH, its concept of operations and the authorized strength were adjusted by the Security Council on several occasions to adapt to the changing circumstances on the ground and to the evolving requirements as dictated by the political, security and socio-economic situation prevailing in the country. For details, see Security Council resolutions 1608 (2005) , 1702 (2006) , 1743 (2007) , 1780 (2007) and 1840 (2008).

In extending the mission’s mandate for another year on 13 October 2009, the Security Council, by its resolution 1892 , further tasked MINUSTAH with supporting the Haitian political process, promoting an all-inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation, and providing logistical and security assistance for elections anticipated for 2010.

Following the devastating earthquake which hit Haiti on 12 January 2010, the Council, by its resolutions 1908 of 19 January and 1927 of 4 June, increased the overall force levels of MINUSTAH to support the immediate recovery, reconstruction and stability efforts. It requested MINUSTAH to continue, within its current mandate, its collaboration with OCHA and the United Nations Country Team in supporting the humanitarian and recovery efforts and further encouraged all actors to continue to engage in joint planning and coordination at the national and local level. The Council encouraged MINUSTAH to provide logistical support and technical expertise to assist the Government of Haiti to continue operations to build the capacity of its rule of law institutions at the national and local level, and to speed up the implementation of the government’s resettlement strategy for displaced persons. It requested the Mission to continue its support to the Haitian Government and to the Provisional Electoral Council in the preparation and conduct of Haiti’s elections, and to coordinate international electoral assistance to Haiti in cooperation with other international stakeholders including the OAS.