United Nations Transition Mission in Haiti (UNTMIH)

International Information

International Operation Name: United Nations Transition Mission in Haiti (UNTMIH)

International Mission Name: United Nations Transition Mission in Haiti (UNTMIH)

Mandating Organization: United Nations

Region Name: Central America

Location: Haiti

Mission Date: 30 July 1997 - 30 November 1997

Mission Mandate: To assist the Government of Haiti by supporting and contributing to the professionalization of the Haitian National Police (HNP).

Mission/Operation Notes: Near the close of UNSMIH’s mandate in July 1997, the Secretary General submitted a report to the Security Council in which he stated that Haiti had taken significant strides forward politically and economically, yet faced continued challenges. Progress had also been made regarding the establishment and training of the new police force. However, the Secretary-General believed that, without steady and long-term support from the international community, the force might not be able to cope with serious incidents potentially risking a deterioration in the security situation. 

Early in UNSMIH’s mandate President Rene Préval had requested that United Nations support for the training of the Haitian National Police (HNP) be extended to 12 months to ensure that the HNP could provide a secure and stable environment without international support. In light of this request, and given the progress that had been made, the Secretary-General recommended that the Security Council maintain United Nations support of HNP for a further four months from July through November 1997. 

With the passing of Security Council Resolution 1123 of 30 July 1997, UNTMIH, with a mandate of a single four-month period ending on 30 November 1997, became the third in the series of United Nations peacekeeping operations to be established in Haiti. 

The new mission comprised both military and civilian police elements and continued to support the Haitian authorities in the further professionalization of HNP. The Secretary-General's Special Representative continued to coordinate activities in Haiti of the United Nations system related to institution-building, national reconciliation and economic rehabilitation. Tasks of UNTMIH's police element included training HNP specialized units in crowd control, the rapid reaction force and Palace security, areas considered to be of distinct importance. 

Tasks of UNTMIH's military security element included ensuring, under the authority of the Force Commander, the safety and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel implementing the mandate.

Canadian Forces (CF) Information (CONSTABLE)

Name: CONSTABLE

CF Mission/Operation Notes: The Canadian contribution to UNTMIH, designated Operation CONSTABLE, was quite similar to that provided for UNSMIH and peaked at approximately 650 military personnel and 50 civilian police. The Canadian Forces deployed one infantry battalion (initially, 3e bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment, then 2e bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment), five CH-146 Griffon helicopters from 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, as well as logistics, engineer, medical and military police personnel from 5e bataillon des services , 5e Peloton de police militaire and other Quebec-based units. 

In addition to carrying out their normal patrol and protection duties, the Canadian troops were heavily involved in numerous humanitarian projects, including building schools, operating medical clinics and delivering humanitarian aid. 

On November 30 1997, UNTMIH successfully transferred responsibilities over to the United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti (MIPONUH).