linkagE Of the Community Reduction Violence approach in Haiti
By Jean Laforest Visene, M.A*.
Recognize the conditions for implemented a traditional DDR approach is not existed in Haiti, In 2006, the Security Council of the United Nations, in its resolution 1702, requested United Nations Stabilization of Haiti (MINUSTAH), in close coordination with the Haitian Government and other stakeholders, including donors, to “reorient its disarmament, demobilization and reintegration efforts.
This reorientation had to be a comprehensive community violence reduction programme adapted to local conditions. It’s also required to strength local governance and the rule of law and to provide employment opportunities to former gang members, and at-risk youth, in close coordination with the Government. It’s the same goals fixed by its resolution 1780 (2007), 1840 (2008), 1892 (2009).
After the earthquake in its resolution 1944 (2010) and 2012 (2011) the Security Council resolution ask MINUSTAH to assist Haitian Government “in tackling the risk of a resurgence in gang violence, organized crime, drug trafficking and trafficking of children” and also to expand “community violence reduction approach, adapting the programme to the changing requirements of the post-earthquake Haitian context with a particular focus on the displaced and those living in violence-affected neighbourhoods”. The Mission will continue to continue to support the Haitian authorities in their efforts to control the flow of small arms including labour-intensive projects, the development of a weapons registry, the revision of current laws on importation and possession of arms, reform of the weapons permit system and the development and implementation of a national community policing doctrine.
2070 (2012) Resolution request the MINUSTAH to have a particular focus on at-risk youth, women, the displaced and those living in violence-affected neighbourhoods and to ensure that this activity is coordinated with, and supports the work of, the United Nations country team to build local capacity in this area. Its mandate is reformulated in the 2119 (2013) resolution. In this, the Un Security Council asked MINUSTAH to continue to fight against violence neighborhood, in close collaboration with the Government of Haiti, always with special attention to youth at risk, women, IDPs and residents of neighborhoods where violence reigns, and coordinate with those of the UNCT United Nations to help the latter to strengthen local capacity in this area.
2. Main actors of the CVR strategy
Haitian CVR strategy is the first experience of Department of peace keeping Operation (DPKO) in the Community Violence Reduction Strategy. As named the approach involve strength with communities and institutional actors in implementing solutions for reduction of violence.
Among these actors include:
- Community representatives: As community leaders, notables, principals, …..
- Community-based organizations (CBOs);
- Local entrepreneurs;
- National, international NGO’s;
- United Nations Agencies and Affiliate;
- Internal MINUSTAH components: As Civil Affairs, Political Affairs, Human Right, Justice, Correction, UNPOL, and Public Informations Office (PIO).
- Local state and national Authorities : As ASEC/CASEC, Mayor’s office, the Department of Prison Administration (DAP), Ministries of Interior and Territorial Communities, ministry of Justice, ministry of Youth and Sports, ministry National Education and Professional Skill, Ministry of Environment)
3. CVR approach and real Social
CVR program is to mitigate risk factors, violence and crime activities. The aims of the programme are to help to create stabilization and secure area, build social cohesion, developing a culture of pacific coexistence. The approach is straddles both peacekeeping and peacebuilding strategy with immediate, social measures, political and security objectives. The approach advocates for flexibility in the sequencing of DDR as illustrated by the specificities of the Haitian context.
The methodology used by CVR approach is holding to identify networks of reliable international and local partners specializing in CVR pillars. Among them include:
- Environmental issues : Soil stabilization, forestry and watershed Management;
- Community infrastructural projects;
- Public outreach and community mediation and peace agreement which provides a framework for discussion and violence reduction from within the communities themselves;
- Entrepreneurship (small-enterprise start up) and apprenticeship placement;
- Socialization, psychosocial support, drug and alcohol abuse;
- Professional skills training;
- Legal assistance and community policing;
- Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention and child protection projects
Under the Haitian conditions, the programme is acclimated to address illiteracy, unemployment, social exclusion, and political manipulation of young’s and youths at-risk. It’s helping also to deconstruct the likelihood protection afforded by the armed groups, and mitigated risk factors that trigger recourse to violence and crime as a means of subsistencedue to the breakdown of community based services.
The CVR interventions are based on the approach “below upwards”. Thus the CVR strategy planned to strengthen and consolidate community-led initiatives. Regularly, the CVR Section helps community members, Community based-organization (CBO) / community representatives and local Authorities to organize forums sessions in all CVR intervention neighbourhoods.
These forums will create a space for discussions between different local actors for a comprehensive understanding the linkage of the community violence, identify needs, and consensus on the main interventions needed and role of, Communities members, local authorities, Police and relevant national and international actors in the resolution of the identified problem.
In this regards, the programme encourage the sharing of experiences between local, national and international actors.
5. CVR approach target
The CVR approach addresses the problem of crime-prone and violence. The targets of the programme are areas where there is a level of violence which is a major obstacle to the development of the community and / or poses a threat to other communities or threatening the stability of the country. Based on the assumption of relationship between poverty and insecurity the programme prioritizes the most vulnerable neighbourhoods identified by the central government.
- Armed groups,
- Prison inmates,
- Children and women affected by violence
*The author is a sociologist and has a Master of Art degree in Sciences of Development. He teaches at the State University of Haiti (UEH) since 2003. In 2005 he works marginalized communites in Haiti. The opinions expressed in this paper not engage than the author.
Jean Laforest Visene
Professeur à l'Université d'Etat d'HaïtiSociologue, M.A. Sciences du Développement
Email: visenejl@gmail.com
