Special mission to Haiti.

• Position: OAS - Brief Article

REACTING TO THE violence and political impasse in Haiti, the OAS decided to establish a new mission in that country to help resolve the crisis. In a resolution on January 15, the Permanent Council also asked the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to visit Haiti, consult with all sectors of society, and report on human rights conditions.

The Permanent Council condemned the violence stemming from the attack on the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince on December 17 and called for a full, independent investigation of the attack and the violence against opposition parties and leaders that followed. The Council also called for the prosecution of any person found to be complicit in the violence and reparations for those who suffered damages as a result.

In comments to the Council, Secretary General Cesar Gaviria said the violence had set back OAS-led efforts to resolve the political impasse in Haiti resulting from the disputed May 2000 legislative elections. He expressed his hope that this new mandate would ultimately allow the...