United Nations Security Council Resolution 841


United Nations Security Council Resolution 841, adopted unanimously on 16 June 1993, after recognising the need for an urgent settlement to the situation in Haiti and the efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Boutros Boutros-Ghali and the Secretary General of the Organization of American States João Clemente Baena Soares, the Council placed various international sanctions on Haiti.

Background

won 1990–1991 general election, after years of a military dictatorship. However, in 1991, Aristide was overthrown in a military coup and General Raoul Cédras was made leader. Violent resistance to the coup in the country ensued. A number of sanctions were in place against Haiti by the Organization of American States and General Assembly, however, these were not compulsory or legally enforceable.

Resolution

The situation was brought to the Security Council by representations from the OAS and Permanent Representative of Haiti. The Council regretted that the legitimate government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide had not been restored, expressing concern that the situation lead to a climate of fear and a possible influx of refugees to neighbouring countries. Considering a request by the Permanent Representative of Haiti, the resolution acknowledged that the situation was unique and warranted exceptional measures.
Acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council affirmed that a solution should take into account all previous General Assembly and OAS resolutions. It then decided that, on 23 June 1993 at 0:01 hours, the following trade embargo would take effect unless the Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali reports to the Council that after negotiations such measures are not needed; if the authorities in Haiti did not comply, then the following measures would take effect:
A Committee of the Security Council was also established which was authorised to decide any exceptional imports of petroleum to Haiti for humanitarian reasons. It was set the following tasks:
All countries were asked to co-operate fully with the measures taken and bring proceedings against persons and entities violating the measures. It also requested states to report to the Secretary-General by 16 July 1993, on the measures they had initiated, while Boutros-Ghali was requested to report on the progress he and the Secretary-General of the OAS had made to find a political solution by 15 July 1993. At the same time, the Council committed itself to reviewing the sanctions if the de facto authorities in Haiti signed an agreement to reinstate the legitimate government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide.