“Armed violence has reached unimaginable and intolerable levels in Haiti“High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet speakcalls on the Haitian authorities, with the support of the international community, to urgently restore the rule of law and protect the people from the fighting.
The situation is spiraling downwards
Between April 24 and May 16, at least 92 people not affiliated with gangs, and about 96 alleged gang members, were killed in coordinated armed attacks. in the vast capital of Haiti.
Another 113 were injured, 12 were reported missing and 49 were kidnapped for ransom, according to figures corroborated by UN human rights officials – although the actual death toll may be high. much more.
“It is important to take urgent steps to restore the rule of lawto protect people from armed violence and to account for the political and economic sponsors of these gangs,” stressed Ms. Bachelet.
Terrible brutality
Some of the brutal violence included beheading, burning and dismembering of bodies, along with the killing of minors accused of informing rival gangs.
Sexual violence, including the gang rape of children under the age of 10, has also been used by armed gang members to terrorize and punish people living in areas controlled by rivals. , according to the United Nations Office for Human Rights (OHCHR). Child gang recruitment has also been reported.
Effects of violence
Over the past three weeks, thousands of people, including children, have been forced to flee their homes and seek shelter in makeshift sites or host families in other parts of the country.
The High Commissioner said: “Gang violence has had a serious impact on the most basic of human rights.
“Dozens of schools, health centers, businesses and markets remain closed, and many people are struggling to find basic products including food, water and medicine.
The road is co-selected
At the same time, movement along the two main national roads connecting the capital with the rest of the country has been severely damaged as gangs gain control of areas under their influence.
“Such restrictions on the movement of people and goods can also have a devastating long-term impact on the already difficult economic situation in Haiti,” Ms. Bachelet said.
Lawless fuel
She also detailed that the fragility of State institutions, especially the police and the judiciary, has fueled lawlessness, expressing concern that violence will only escalate when the activities of Ongoing police have yet to re-establish public order.
Furthermore, there have been reports of several human rights violations in these activities.
Gang violence has had a severe impact on the most basic of human rights – United Nations Human Rights Commissioner
“State institutions need to be strengthened to resist punishment and corruption,” she said.
“Authorities have a duty to protect life from all reasonably foreseeable threats, including those posed by private individuals and organisations, such as armed criminal gangs.”
Don’t forget Haiti
Despite its longstanding and many challenges, the High Commissioner said: “Haiti should not be forgotten and should remain a priority of the international community.”
“I call on the international community to redouble their efforts to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.
In the coming weeks, the UN Security Council is due to debate over the future mission of the United Nations presence in Haiti.
Ms. Bachelet concluded that Haitian human rights were at the heart of the international response, including on issues related to sexual and gender-based violence.
