UN reports human rights abuses linked to gang violence in Haiti

The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti denounced this Tuesday a multitude of violations of human rights committed by the gangs present in the capital of the country, which in the framework of fights between them, killed at least 226 people and injured 254 more in the period from April 24 to May 16.

In a report over that period, the Office noted that some clashes in the northwest of Port-au-Prince occurred without the police being able to intervene due to lack of personnel and equipment.

“The Haitian police quickly carried out operations in the affected areas, but their intervention was only reactive given their lack of resources and the gang weaponry level”, the document pointed out.

unpunished crimes

In addition, although the judicial police promptly opened investigations into the abuses against the population, the competent magistrates they still do not take the necessary measures to apprehend to those responsible.

In this sense, the UN warned of “the high probability that these crimes go unpunished.”

The wave of violence recorded during the three weeks in question was carried out by two gang coalitions fighting to take control of specific areas of the Cité Soleil, Croix-des-Bouquets and Tabarre neighborhoods.

armed with assault rifles, machetes and gas cansthe gangs spared no one, executing women and children up to a year old in their homes and then burning their bodies.

The report notes that the gangs responsible for this violence are known as “Chen Mechan” and “400 Mawozo”. Being supported by their different allies, both gangs coordinated and simultaneous attack various districts of the city.

Updated figures

The UN Office carried out an investigation whose preliminary figures reported 94 murders, more than 120 wounded and a dozen disappeared, in addition to 96 dead and wounded among the members of the gangs.

Despite the seriousness of these figures, as the investigations progressed, the victims increased to reach 209 dead and 254 wounded on July 20.

The report also highlights that some 16,000 people had to flee their homes to seek refuge in places considered safer, often in the homes of relatives or in makeshift sites.

From Cité Soleil alone, nearly 4,000 people were forced to flee their homes for fear of violence. Among that group were many women and children.

sexual violence

The Office highlights dozens of cases of sexual violence that included atrocities such as the rape of girls under ten to terrorize people and take revenge on local populations living in neighborhoods controlled by rival gangs.

Among other crimes, the Office also reported publicly executed teenagers after being accused of spying for the opposite side.

The UN explained that coalitions between gangs became a serious problem during the government of President Jovenel Moïse, assassinated in July 2021.

According to the Integrated Office, the events of April and May are a sign that the violence not only continues, but has intensified, probably with the participation of political and economic actors, as well as former police officers.

“This cycle of violence must stop immediately, steps must be taken to fight impunity and restore without further delay the rights of which the victims have been deprived”, concluded the report.