In 2024, more than 5,600 people lost their lives in Haiti due to escalating gang violence, with thousands injured and kidnapped. This grim toll was outlined by the United Nations in a statement released just hours ago, denouncing the “absolute horrors” endured by the country’s population. Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, attributed the crisis to widespread impunity and corruption, emphasizing that the situation remains critical in the capital, Port-au-Prince, largely controlled by criminal groups.
The violence, which erupted in 2023, has crippled an already fragile system, while the police, accused of carrying out summary executions, struggle to regain control. In December, at least 207 people were killed in a massacre in the Cité Soleil area, orchestrated by a powerful local gang. Additionally, reports have documented 315 lynchings and 281 alleged summary executions, some of which were attributed to specialized units within the Haitian police. Turk stressed that the lack of accountability and ongoing human rights violations continue to be an open wound for the nation.
Despite the deployment of a UN-led security mission from Kenya, comprising 430 personnel, crime has not abated. The Haitian government, supported by the United States, has called for a large-scale peacekeeping operation, but the proposal has been blocked by Russia and China, who favor strengthening local police forces as a solution.
The challenges extend to press freedom as well. Two journalists were killed during an attack by gang members while covering the reopening of the country’s largest hospital in Port-au-Prince. A local media collective identified the victims as Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean, who were shot by members of the “Viv Ansanm” group.
Turk reiterated the urgency of restoring the rule of law and imposing an arms embargo, highlighting how illicit trafficking fuels the cycle of violence. He stated that the weapons flowing into Haiti often end up in the hands of gangs, with devastating consequences, including “thousands of deaths, hundreds of thousands displaced, and essential infrastructure destroyed”.
