The UN representative on human rights in Haiti expressed his alarm at the gang violence’s quick growth and the gloomy future that children in the struggling impoverished nation face.
During his second trip to Haiti this year, which lasted for a week and resulted in the displacement of over 200,000 people, William O’Neill gave a speech at the end of his stay.
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O’Neill remarked in his address, “Murders, injuries, and kidnappings are the daily lot of the population.” He added, “An entire generation is seemingly being sacrificed by violence, and the future of a country is threatened by the dramatic situation faced by its youth.”
The UN reports that from July 1 to September 30, there were more than 1,230 killings and 701 kidnappings reported throughout Haiti, more than twice as many as during the same period last year.
There are 200 gangs in Haiti, according to estimates, and the biggest ones can rule up to 80% of the country’s capital, Port-Au-Prince.
The UN representative stated, “A major challenge is the fact that many gang members are children.” He continued, “It will be necessary to implement rehabilitation and reintegration programs for the vast majority of them.”
In addition, he mentioned how gang violence has crept into previously tranquil parts of Haiti’s northwest and central regions and how, in light of the recent upsurge in violence, over 500,000 children lack access to education.
According to O’Neill, women and girls without access to healthcare are still sexually abused by gangs.
“The state must assume its responsibilities not only to prevent human rights violations and abuses but also to protect its population, especially the most vulnerable,” he noted.
In a nation of 11.7 million people, the National Police of Haiti has failed to combat gangs due to a lack of resources and manpower. Approximately 4,000 officers are always on duty at any given time.
According to 29-year-old Garry Lochar, who works at a bus station, Haitians don’t leave their homes very often unless they need to acquire necessities because of the extreme lack of security.
He shared, “It’s been a year since people have been saying that troops are coming.” Adding that “people are dying, and Haiti is not getting any help at all.”
A year ago, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry asked for the quick deployment of a foreign military force to combat gangs that have become more potent since President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in July 2021.
Legal challenges have delayed the deployment of the multinational armed force that Kenya agreed to lead to Haiti in recent months.
O’Neill noted, “The imminent deployment of this mission, under strict conditions of respect and protection of human rights, is necessary to alleviate the suffering of the population.”
Along with increased violence, hunger is getting worse in Haiti because of rapidly rising inflation. Experts predict that nearly half of the nation’s population that is malnourished will continue to climb.
Jean-Marc Jean Pierre who has had to relocate several times due to gang violence stated, “I hope that one day, we will be able to see the light in this country,” While adding, “If everyone could leave this country, we would have left already.”
