Kenya police in Haiti mission put up a complaints office

The Kenya Police-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) in Haiti has established a complaint reporting mechanism to enable Haitians to report any human rights violations by the officers.
The Complaints Reporting Mechanism (CRM) is expected to protect and promote human rights, which are key in preventing conflicts, achieving and maintaining peace and also assist in post-conflict reconstruction.
In the framework, complaints are categorised as either Serious Misconduct, Minor Misconduct or Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA).
“The CRM has been developed by the MSS Legal Team and the Community Engagement Team, in collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Coordinator,” officials said.
Already, the officers have been trained on the implementation of the mechanism, which was conducted in collaboration with representatives from various civil society organisations, the Haitian National Police (HNP), human rights advocates, legal practitioners, and other non-governmental organisations.
The initiative was launched barely a week after the UN Police Adviser and the Director of the Police Division, Department of Peacekeeping Operations at the UN headquarters approved turning the MSS to a UN mission.
The launch was presided over by Jack Ombaka, the MSS Director of Strategic Communications, on behalf of MSS Force Commander, Godfrey Otunge.
Key pillars
Drawing on lessons from past peacekeeping missions in Haiti, the training extensively covered the role of Focal Points in the CRM.
The training has been coordinated by Sam Mutungi, the Senior Human Rights Coordinator and Technical Adviser at UNOHCHR, Sebastien Hounhouedo, Denise Hauser and Mara Steccazzini (UNOHCHR), as well as Lara Chela (PSEA Coordinator), Adrian Hamilton and Hosea Bundotich, the MSS Directors of Community Engagement.
The workshop emphasised on 11 key pillars that include accessibility, safety, confidentiality, diligent response, participation, transparency, dignity and respect, non-discrimination and inclusion, informed consent, survivor-centred approaches, and the best interests of the child, according to MSS.