Haiti Crisis: UN Report Highlights Soaring Gang Violence and Sexual Violence

Overview

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released a harrowing report highlighting the alarming levels of gang violence and sexual violence in Haiti. The report brings to light the severity of an ongoing crisis that the country finds itself in, indicating an urgent need for attention and action.

Gang Violence and Impunity

The UN report emphasizes that gang violence in Haiti has reached unprecedented levels, resulting in multiple prison breaks and attacks on government offices throughout the country. According to the OHCHR, over 1,500 people have already lost their lives to gang violence in 2024, and the numbers are projected to surpass the previous year. The report holds a lack of governance, widespread corruption, and poor state institutions responsible for the near-collapse of democratic society, urging immediate intervention.

Surge of Sexual Violence

Drawing attention to the deeply concerning issue of sexual violence in Haiti, the UN report highlights the underreported and largely unpunished cases of rape and forced sexual relations with gang members. Such acts have led to immense suffering for victims and have contributed to a climate of fear and trauma within the community. Efforts to address and combat sexual violence must be prioritized to protect and support the affected individuals.

Escalating Humanitarian Crisis

The violence in Haiti has led to the internal displacement of thousands, with approximately 313,900 individuals displaced by December 2023, according to the OHCHR. Furthermore, gangs have been involving children in their criminal activities, exploiting them for kidnappings and robberies. The testimonies collected by the United Nations reveal the distressing reality faced by the youth in the country.

Weapons Trafficking and Lack of Law Enforcement

Contrary to the arms embargo in place, the report showcases the regular trafficking of weapons and ammunition across Haiti’s borders, empowering the gangs with superior firepower compared to the under-resourced police forces. This imbalance raises concerns about the community’s safety and calls for a more effective implementation of the arms embargo to prevent further violence and bloodshed.

Challenges in Justice System and Impunity

The Haitian National Police faces a multitude of challenges, including severe underpayment and understaffing. The OHCHR discovered a police-to-population ratio of only 1.3 officers per 1,000 citizens, highlighting the grave difficulties faced by law enforcement in tackling the crisis. The dysfunctional criminal justice system and widespread corruption further exacerbate the problem, allowing the impunity of perpetrators for grave human rights violations.

Press Freedom and Attacks on Journalists

Distressing as it may be, the UN report reveals that journalists in Haiti face threats and violence, leading to a high level of self-censorship for fear of reprisals by gangs. There have been cases of journalists being killed, with little to no investigations launched to pursue justice. The stifling of the press has detrimental effects, hampering the dissemination of information and obstructing public awareness of the worsening crisis.

Destruction of Property and Lynchings

Astonishingly, more than 1,880 homes and businesses have been looted or destroyed in Haiti since January 2023. In the agricultural region of the Artibonite Valley, gangs have also attacked farms and stolen hundreds of livestock, harming the country’s economy and livelihoods. Additionally, the report highlights the presence of so-called “self-defense brigades” that have resorted to unlawful measures, executing individuals accused of petty crime or suspected of associating with gangs, resulting in numerous cases of lynching.

Urgent Need for Accountability and Action

To restore public trust in the rule of law, urgent action is required to hold individuals accountable for their actions, dismantle gangs, and support the development of stronger state institutions. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, emphasizes the importance of addressing corruption, dysfunction in the justice system, and the effective implementation of an arms embargo to bring stability, legitimacy, and dignity back to Haiti.