Gang violence in Haiti paints a harrowing picture of despair, as revealed in a recent UN report detailing human rights abuses from the latter part of 2024. Over the past year, a staggering 5,626 lives were lost, while more than 2,213 individuals suffered injuries, driven by the ruthless control of armed gangs throughout the capital and the country. This marks an alarming uptick of over 1,000 deaths compared to 2023, highlighting the escalating crisis.
The report’s latest findings underscore a grave deterioration in Haiti’s security situation, especially in the last quarter, where gang-related violence surged. At least 1,732 deaths were recorded alongside 411 injuries attributed to clashes among armed groups, law enforcement, and self-defense units. Notably, three massacres accounted for over 300 deaths, with the most brutal incident occurring in Port-au-Prince’s Wharf Jérémie district.
During a gruesome five-day rampage in December, Monel Felix’s gang was responsible for the genocide of at least 207 victims, often targeting the elderly accused of witchcraft. These murders took place in homes and a local church as law enforcement failed to intervene. Similar tragedies unfolded in other areas, igniting retaliatory violence from self-defense factions.
The brutality extends beyond gangs, as state-sanctioned killings by police also mar the landscape. The report states that police executed over 250 individuals in 2024 without due process, with even children falling victim. Instances of extrajudicial killings are rampant, and efforts to investigate abuses remain stagnant, with no police vetting undertaken since mid-2023.
The plight of children in Haiti is especially dire, with a worrying 150% increase in kidnappings as gangs turn their focus on young victims. The report notes at least 94 documented cases of sexual violence targeting women and girls in gang-controlled territories, where they endure systemic abuse. The alarming rise in child soldiers, some as young as 12, highlights a future marred by exploitation and violence.
Despite ongoing atrocities, Haiti’s judiciary struggles to respond. While some judicial appointments were made in late 2024, progress on massacres and corruption remains sluggish, with no arrests made by year-end. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé called for investigations, yet time runs out for victims seeking justice in this chaotic landscape.
Critically, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, emphasized the urgent need to restore law and order, appealing for international support to bolster the Multinational Security Support mission. Regional governments have been urged to tighten controls over arms transactions destined for Haiti, as the humanitarian crisis deepens with over one million displaced citizens.
The UN reports a catastrophic rise in gang violence in Haiti with over 5,626 people killed and more than 2,213 injured in 2024. The situation worsened in the last quarter with mass killings, state-sanctioned executions, and a disturbing rise in child exploitation. Despite calls for action, judicial progress remains stagnant, demanding urgent international intervention for stability and justice.
Haiti faces an unsettling human rights crisis characterized by escalating gang violence and brutality. With thousands dead and injured, the situation calls for immediate attention from the international community. The soaring threat to children’s safety and glaring judicial inaction only intensify the need for urgent intervention to restore order and protect vulnerable populations, ensuring that the will for peace and stability prevails amidst chaos.
Original Source: www.miragenews.com
