A strong wave of mobilization marked the high-level session of the Interinstitutional and Interministerial Task Force on Disarmament, Dismantling, Reintegration and the Reduction of Community Violence (SNDDR-RCV), held in Port-au-Prince on 9 October 2025. Bringing together 223 participants, including 45 women, the meeting placed religious actors at the very heart of Haiti’s peacebuilding process.
Catholic, Protestant, Vodou, Muslim and other spiritual leaders answered the call, affirming their shared determination to contribute to the country’s stabilization. For the first time, faith was acknowledged as a strategic lever in the fight against armed violence and in the reintegration of at-risk youth.
Religious leaders called for a national moral awakening grounded in fraternity, solidarity and restorative justice. “Disarming hands is not enough if hearts remain armed. Security cannot be decreed; it is built on justice, respect for life and human dignity,” several speakers stressed.
Other participants highlighted the power of dialogue and the urgency of providing concrete alternatives for young people. They expressed support for the deployment of the Multinational Gang Suppression Force (GSF) to bolster stabilization efforts. Religious leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting youth reintegration, community mediation, and the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence.
Sancho Coutinho, Deputy to the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, praised the engagement of religious leaders as key actors for peace and social cohesion. “Faith must never be instrumentalized to justify violence; it should serve as a force for healing, dignity and resilience,” he said. He encouraged the formulation of concrete recommendations to strengthen the National DDR-RCV Action Plan, while underscoring the inclusion of women and youth in line with the Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security agendas.
BINUH reaffirmed its unwavering support to the Haitian Government and to all partners engaged in the SNDDR-RCV process. Together, they are charting a path toward a more united, stronger and more resilient Haiti, where spiritual values become pillars of lasting peace through inclusive consultations.
