UN’s tragic stand against Haitian cholera victims

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - THE RECENT DECISION by the United Nations to invoke “legal immunity” in support of its rejection of compensation claims by thousands of Haitian cholera victims poses an immediate challenge for the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
It’s of particular significance – coincidental or not – that the UN’s announcement of its rejection of damage claims on behalf of more than 5 000 Haitian cholera victims was made public within two days after President Michel Martelly had hosted Haiti’s first summit of CARICOM Heads of Government on February 18 and 19.
On February 21, as reported by international news agencies, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon telephoned Martelly to inform him of the circumstances for rejecting claims. At the same time, he gave the assurance that the world body remained “committed” to providing and improving water and sanitation facilities.