According to the United Nations human rights office, gang violence in Haiti has resulted in the deaths of more than 1,500 individuals this year, including many children. In addition, dozens have been lynched, stoned, or burned alive by self-defence brigades. The situation in the Caribbean country has been described as “cataclysmic.”
In recent weeks, Haiti has seen a surge in gang wars, with heavily-armed rival groups launching attacks, including raids on police stations and the international airport. Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned on March 11 against the backdrop of escalating violence.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has called for an immediate halt to these brutal practices, labeling them as outrageous. The UN report documents a total of 4,451 killings in the past year and 1,554 deaths as violence continues to escalate. Some individuals have been targeted in their homes for supporting the police or rival gangs, while others have fallen victim to street violence.
Armed brigades have stepped in to fill the security void left by the police, leading to the lynching of 528 people suspected of gang ties last year and 59 individuals so far this year. The report also highlights how children in Haiti are being recruited into gangs, with boys utilized as lookouts for kidnappings and robberies, and girls forced into household chores or espionage. Some children attempting to flee have been executed.
The recent surge in violence has exacerbated human rights violations, including killings, kidnappings, and rapes, particularly targeting women and young girls. The report urges states to support the rapid deployment of a U.N.-backed international security force to address the escalating crisis in Haiti.
Furthermore, the report calls for enhanced policing of shipments to Haiti to prevent the smuggling of arms, despite the existing U.N. embargo. Volker Turk expressed shock at the continuous influx of weapons into the country despite the grave situation on the ground.
(Reporting by Emma FargeEditing by Miranda Murray, Rachel More and Ros Russell)
