The London-based human rights group, Amnesty International, has expressed “deep concern” over gang-related violence, particularly against children, perpetrated in what it describes as “total impunity” in Haiti.
“We have documented heartbreaking stories of children forced to work for gangs: from running deliveries to gathering information and performing domestic tasks under threats of violence,” said Ana Piquer, director for the Americas at Amnesty International.
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“Additionally, girls have been subjected to rape and sexual violence. The desperation of their situation is truly disturbing; many have been displaced or have nowhere to go. The violence in Haiti is devastating, and Haitian children are paying the price. Children are sustaining serious injuries that will change their lives due to stray bullets or targeted attacks.”
She pointed to reports, stating recently, that 70 people, including children, died in a gang attack against the population in the Department of Artibonite in Haiti.
“The need for resources to comprehensively protect children’s rights and prevent further abuses and violations is urgent, as is ending the impunity enjoyed by perpetrators,” Piquer said.
In an oral statement to the UN Human Rights Council earlier this week, Piquer said concerns were raised about widespread violence in Haiti, “driven by armed gangs that exploit and recruit children.
“Reports highlight the severe impact on minors, including sexual violence and injuries from gang-related violence. The ongoing impunity for these crimes exacerbates human rights violations, particularly regarding social and economic rights.”
With the deployment of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti, led by Kenyan police, Amnesty International reiterated the urgent need “to ensure the mission establishes safeguards to prevent human rights violations, provides child protection training to its personnel, and commits to operating with the highest standards of transparency.
“It is truly concerning that the deployment of the Kenyan police contingent to Haiti is going forward, without transparent information regarding whether or how it has implemented human rights safeguards,” said Piquer, adding that among these protections is the need to ensure the MSS is prepared to encounter children during its operations, including children who have been recruited by gangs.
Piquer noted that, in July, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reported, for the first time in his Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict, that the UN had verified 383 grave violations committed against children in Haiti last year.
They included recruitment and use, killing and maiming, and sexual violence predominantly by criminal gangs engaged in widespread violence and clashes with authorities, Piquer said.
“Kenya and Haiti have a shared responsibility, as do their allies like the United States, among others, to stop overlooking the suffering of thousands of Haitian children.
“Introducing foreign troops into Haiti without proper human rights training, use of force protocols and accountability mechanisms further endangers the population, particularly children, who endure the daily onslaught of violence.”
Amnesty International said, despite UN Security Council Resolution 2699 (2023) requiring the highest standards of transparency, pre-deployment and in-mission awareness training, and an accessible complaint mechanism amongst other human rights safeguards, “there is still a lack of detailed public information about the MSS Mission’s rules, procedures and human rights violations accountability mechanisms.
“This lack of transparency raises significant concerns about all countries involved in the deployment of the MSS’s failure to comply with these obligations, and the potential human rights abuses once deployed,” it said, calling for the implementation of “rigorous vetting procedures and thorough training on United Nations principles, human rights law, the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, and children protection before and during deployment.”
Moreover, Amnesty International stressed the necessity of “an accessible, independent, and transparent complaint mechanism to investigate all allegations of misconduct and human rights violations by MSS personnel.
“Comprehensive training on UN principles and human rights law is essential for mission personnel. An independent mechanism to handle complaints and ensure accountability must be established to protect children’s rights effectively.”
Amnesty International said Haiti’s crisis has worsened significantly since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, “leading to rampant gang violence and widespread human rights violations.
“Historical peacebuilding missions in Haiti have often resulted in abuse and impunity, underscoring the need for rigorous human rights safeguards in any security mission,” it said. (CMC)
