UN to vote on choking off small arms from gangs in Haiti

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations Security Council scheduled a vote Friday on a resolution that calls on all countries to stop the transfer of small arms, light weapons and ammunition to any party supporting gang violence and criminal activity in Haiti, which has seen an upsurge in bloodshed and kidnappings.

The draft by the United States and Mexico does not include an arms embargo as China sought. Other council members said an embargo would be unenforceable.

The back and forth came in negotiations over a resolution to extend the mandate for the UN political mission in Haiti.

The council's previous authorisation for the mission expires Friday.

The US-Mexico draft resolution, put in final form late Thursday, would express the council's readiness to impose sanctions that could include travel bans and assets freeze “as necessary” on individuals engaged in or supporting gang violence, criminal activity or human rights violations in Haiti.

That language is weaker than China's proposal, which included a time frame.

The draft also makes no mention of China's call for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss with various parties possibly establishing a regional police unit to help Haitian police tackle gang violence.

Instead, the US-Mexico draft would ask Guterres to consult with Haiti's government, “relevant countries” and regional organisations on “possible options to combat high levels of gang violence” and to submit a report by October 15.

With the end of the mandate for the UN political mission looming, the 15 council members wrangled this week over wording for the new resolution needed to extend the mission.

The US and Mexico drew up the original proposal, and China offered revisions Thursday supported by its ally Russia.

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