Haiti Faces Severe Underreporting of Sexual Violence, says UN Report
Intense Gang Violence Plagues Haiti
A recent report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted the shocking levels of sexual violence in Haiti amid the ongoing gang violence. The report, released on Thursday, reveals that sexual violence in the Caribbean country is severely underreported and largely goes unpunished.
Gangs Utilize Sexual Violence for Control and Punishment
According to the U.N. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, gangs in Haiti extensively employ sexual violence as a means to spread fear, subjugation, and punish the vulnerable population. The practice has been employed to create terror and establish dominance.
Underreporting and Impunity Plague Haitian Society
The report sheds light on the dismal state of sexual violence reporting in Haiti, attributing it to community stigma, the grave threat of retaliation by perpetrators, lack of sufficient healthcare and psychosocial services for survivors, as well as the lack of trust in the justice system. Even when incidents are reported, the report reveals a distressing level of impunity for sexual violence.
Alarming Death Toll and Escalation of Violence
In the year 2023 alone, the OHCHR documented the deaths of at least 4,451 individuals in Haiti as a result of the ongoing gang violence. Shockingly, 3,801 of these victims were men, 538 were women, and 112 were children. The report also highlights an alarming trend for the year 2024, with 686 individuals losing their lives between January and February, despite not being involved in the ongoing violent exchanges plaguing the nation.
Plight of the Population Requires Urgent Action
The catastrophic situation in Haiti demands immediate and bold action. The prioritization of combating insecurity is vital to ensuring the protection of the population and preventing further suffering. This crisis also emphasizes the crucial need to safeguard institutions vital to the rule of law, as they have been deeply targeted and harmed by the ongoing violence, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, stressed.
Government Response and Prime Minister’s Resignation
Haiti’s Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, announced his resignation earlier this month amidst the escalating gang violence. Henry, acknowledging the government’s responsibility, stated, “The government that I’m running cannot remain insensitive in front of this situation. There is no sacrifice that is too big for our country. The government I’m running will remove itself immediately after the installation of the council.”
(Source: Nexstar Media Inc.)
