UN deplores violent acts in Haiti

UN deplores violent acts in Haiti

2010-11-17 02:34:36 GMT+7 (ICT)

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations on Tuesday deplored the violent acts against personnel with the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in the cities of Cap-Haitien and Hinche.

"The way the events unfolded suggests that these incidents were politically motivated, aimed at creating a climate of insecurity on the eve of elections," the MINUSTAH mission said in a statement.

On Sunday, demonstrators attacked local and UN security forces resulting in several injuries. Among the injured, there are six MINUSTAH personnel. The UN mission called the Haitians to remain vigilant and not to be manipulated by enemies of the country’s stability and democracy.

At Quartier Morin in the northern region, armed demonstrators fired at the peacekeepers. One of the protesters was killed by UN peacekeepers who shot back in self-defense. An investigation is currently underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the events and the death.

"MINUSTAH reiterates its firm commitment to supporting the Haitian National Police in maintaining order and security in the country to ensure the continuation of the electoral process and reconstruction in Haiti."

The attacks on the UN peacekeepers was caused by a recent U.S. report that indicated the cholera outbreak came from South Asia. The MINUSTAN personnel arrived a short time ago from Nepal.

Many residents have blamed them from bringing the disease to the Caribbean nation but this information has not been confirmed. Reportedly, the Nepalese contingent dumped waste close to a river in the northern province of Artibone, where the outbreak began.

So far, the cholera epidemic has caused more than 1,000 deaths in the island-nation. In addition, approximately 16,800 Haitians are currently hospitalized.

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