Escalating violence on the streets of Haiti has led to massive population displacement. UN: ‘catastrophic’ situation in Haiti requires immediate and decisive action Peace and Security
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has called for immediate and decisive action to address the “catastrophic” situation in Haiti.
“Corruption, impunity and poor governance, exacerbated by rising levels of banditry, have undermined the rule of law and brought State institutions closer to collapse,” the OHCHR said in a report released Thursday. Under these conditions, the Haitian population is largely deprived of the opportunity to enjoy human rights, the authors of the document conclude.
“Combating chaos must be [Haitian authorities’] top priority to protect the population and prevent further human suffering,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. It is equally important, he said, to protect the institutions necessary to uphold the rule of law.
The report prepared by OHCHR covers the period from September 25, 2023 to February 29, 2024. The report says the number of people killed and injured in “gang violence” in Haiti increased significantly last year, with 4,451 people killed and 1,668 injured. This trend has carried over into this year, with the number of victims of violence increasing sharply in the first three months – 1,554 killed and 826 injured.
Women in Haiti are often forced into “exploitative” sexual relationships with gang members. In addition, hostage rape continues to be used to force families to pay ransoms. Sexual violence goes largely unpunished, the report’s authors say. In some cases, young gang members were killed for trying to escape. Daily life in Haiti is disrupted by gang restrictions on the movement of people, goods and services.
“All of these actions are outrageous and must stop immediately,” said Supreme UN Commissioner Volker Türk.
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