8 August 2013
Yale report holds UN responsible for Haiti cholera epidemic, calls for a claims commission
A report released on 6 August by researchers at Yale University documents how UN negligence caused the cholera epidemic in Haiti, and argues that the UN therefore has legal and moral obligations to remedy the harm caused.
The report also calls for setting up a claims commission, as referred to in the MINUSTAH Status of Forces Agreement, and recommends the Organisation to issue a public apology, direct aid to the victims and comply with its contractual and international law obligations. The report comes after the UN Office of Legal Affairs determined in February that the claims of the victims were not receivable pursuant to Section 29 of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nation.
Source: Yale Law School News | New Report Holds U.N. Responsible for Haitian Cholera Epidemic
Source: UN Department of Public Information | Haiti Cholera Victims’ Compensation Claims ‘Not Receivable’ under Immunities and Privileges Convention, United Nations Tells Their Representatives | 21 February 2013
Source: Agreement between the United Nations and the Government of Haiti concerning the status of the United Nations Operation in Haiti | 9 July 2004