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Kenya parliament approves deployment of police officers to Haiti in UN mission – JURIST

Kenyan lawmakers on Thursday endorsed a request to deploy over 1000 police officers to Haiti. The decision, shown in a televised broadcast from parliament, resulted from the presentation of a motion by parliament’s Committee on Administration and Internal Security. The motion endorsed the government’s request to dispatch security officers as a response to the escalating violence in Haiti.On October 2, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) authorised the creation of a Multinational Security Support (MSS) force to bolster security and ensure strict adherence to international law and human rights obligations in Haiti. The MSS mission’s primary objectives include supporting the Haitian National Police in decreasing violence and implementing measures to enhance police capabilities. Additionally, the force will collaborate with the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) to facilitate an environment conducive to free and fair elections.The debate leading to the decision saw opposition legislators attack the plans as being unconstitutional. One Member of Parliament stated that sending security forces to Haiti lacked justification, especially when Kenyans were facing internal threats and urgently needed protection.In October, the High Court in Nairobi halted the scheduled deployment. A case that would determine whether the force is deployed is currently before the court for adjudication.