Above: Haitian President Michel Martelly with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff during her visit to Haiti this week

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Haiti’s Parliament today ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, a UN treaty first adopted by the general assembly in 1966.

The document, which went into force in 1976, focuses on guarantees of economic and social rights.

The United Nations peacekeeping force in Haiti welcomed the decision, which it said demonstrated a commitment by Haitian authorities to continue the country’s work towards the stabilization of Haitians’ rights and the fight against poverty and social exclusion.

“The ratification of this international instrument is an important step in broadening the scope of protection of human rights in Haiti,” MINUSTAH said in a statement. “It also opens interesting perspectives for development cooperation for Haiti.”

MINUSTAH said the agreement commits the international community to do more to support the efforts of the Haitian government on ensuring equal access to education, health and a decent standard of living.

The UN Human Rights Council had recommended that Haiti sign the agreement, among others.