Sexual violence and gang brutality in Haiti have reached alarming levels, remaining “severely underreported and largely unpunished,” as per a distressing UN human rights report. The findings highlight an urgent need for the international community to address the worsening situation that has seen over 1,500 lives claimed by gang violence in just the early months of 2024.
The report, issued by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), paints a grim picture of a country teetering on the brink of total anarchy. It details a surge in sexual violence, with cases of rape and forced sexual relations at the hands of gang members. These crimes are a part of a larger tapestry of violence that has caused more than 1,500 deaths this year, signaling an ominous trend that could surpass the 4,451 killings in 2023.
“All these practices are outrageous and must stop at once,” said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. The OHCHR report highlights the horrific aftermath of gang confrontations with authorities in the capital and notes that “corruption, impunity, and poor governance” compound the problem.
The violence has displaced approximately 313,900 people as of December 2023. Gangs, heavily armed and emboldened, are not only recruiting but also exploiting children as lookouts and accomplices in kidnappings and robberies.
Furthermore, the criminal justice system in Haiti is in dire straits. Dysfunctional, under-resourced, and rife with corruption, the system contributes to the pervasive impunity that engulfs the nation. “Widespread corruption and dysfunction of the justice system greatly contribute to the pervasive impunity for grave human rights violations, and they need to be addressed urgently,” Türk said, emphasizing the need for accountability to restore public trust.
The report’s findings underscore the Haitian National Police’s struggles, as they are severely underpaid, understaffed, and outgunned due to the trafficking of weapons and ammunition across Haiti’s borders. Despite an arms embargo, this illicit flow has continued unabated. Türk issued a call to action, expressing shock at the continued inflow of arms and appealing for “a more effective implementation of the arms embargo.”
Civilians have resorted to forming “self-defense brigades,” leading to at least 528 reported cases of lynching in 2023 and 59 in 2024, mostly in Port-au-Prince. The actions of these brigades, however, often result in the execution of individuals suspected of petty crimes or gang affiliation.
The report’s revelations come on the heels of political upheaval, with Ariel Henry stepping down as Haiti’s Prime Minister amid demands from gang leaders. A transitional council is in the process of being established, aiming to install a new prime minister and forge a path toward “democratic legitimacy, stability, and dignity.”
Journalists, too, face high levels of self-censorship due to the credible threat of gang reprisals. Four cases of journalists killed in 2023 have been documented, with no investigations opened into their deaths. Additionally, more than 1,880 homes and businesses have been looted or destroyed, and in the Artibonite Valley, a crucial agricultural area, gangs have ravaged properties and stolen livestock.
The UN report concludes by making a dire call for international action, including the rapid deployment of a UN-backed international security force. With the situation described as “cataclysmic,” the urgency for a decisive global response has never been more pressing.
Relevant articles:
– Sexual violence ‘largely unpunished’ in Haiti, UN says | CNN
– As gang violence rages, UN expert says Haiti now needs 5,000 foreign police Al Jazeera English, Fri, 29 Mar 2024 10:35:31 GMT
– Sexual violence ‘largely unpunished’ in Haiti UN says CNN, Thu, 28 Mar 2024 19:37:00 GMT
– UN says over 1,500 killed this year in ‘cataclysmic’ Haiti – DW – 03 DW (English), Fri, 29 Mar 2024 10:53:19 GMT