UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s Oral update to the Human Rights Council on the situation in Haiti

“International commitment and backing for this are urgent. Without them, the worst may be yet to come for Haiti and the broader region. More than 16,000 people have been killed and some 7,000 people injured in armed violence since 1 January 2022, when we began our monitoring on gang related violence,” Türk said.

Gangs are spreading fear beyond the capital, Port-au-Prince, into nearby regions, including in the Lower Artibonite and in the Centre department, creating a fertile ground for further cross-border arms, drugs, and human trafficking, which threaten to destabilize the wider sub-region.

“An estimated 270,000 to 500,000 firearms are circulating illegally in Haiti, with most weapons in the hands of gangs.Gangs are killing and kidnapping people, extorting them at illegal checkpoints, hijacking trucks transporting food and other supplies, and burning and destroying homes, hospitals, schools, and public buildings,” the High Commissioner said.

“They are committing widespread sexual violence to assert dominance and territorial influence, and displace people. The gangs kidnap women and girls, and subject them to extreme brutality, including killing and sexual exploitation,” he added.

The UN Human Rights Office is working with the authorities to step up investigations and prosecutions, including through Specialised Judicial Units. The High Commissioner urged strong support for programmes to protect victims of sexual violence.

Half of Haiti's population – six million people, including 3.3 million children - need humanitarian aid. Some 1.3 million people, half of them children, have fled their homes. Haiti is now among the five global food insecurity hotspots of highest concern.

“De plus en plus d'enfants sont victimes de traite, d'exploitation et de recrutement forcé par les gangs. Ils sont utilisés comme messagers, guetteurs ou porteurs d'armes, et sont parfois contraints de combattre contre des gangs rivaux, les forces de sécurité, et des groupes dits d'autodéfense. Nous ne pouvons qu'imaginer l'impact à long terme pour les enfants d'Haïti et pour la société dans son ensemble” Türk said.

(“More children are being subjected to trafficking, exploitation and forced recruitment by the gangs. They are used as couriers, lookouts, or weapons carriers, and are sometimes coerced into combat roles against rival gangs, security forces and so-called self-defense groups. We can only imagine the long-term impact, for the children of Haiti, and for society as a whole,”)

“I am concerned that State law enforcement have used unnecessary and disproportionate lethal force in their operations against the gangs. For example, operations by law enforcement account for more than half of killings and injuries so far this year - a steep increase compared to 2024. Almost one third of people killed or injured were hit by stray bullets,” he added.

Specialised police units have summarily executed 174 people this year for alleged affiliation with gangs.

“Since March, the Government has stepped up its use of explosive drones in its anti-gang operations in Port-au-Prince. As of mid-September, drone strikes have killed at least 559 people, including 11 children. Most of these drone strikes are likely unlawful under international human rights law,” the High Commissioner stated.

He said so-called self-defence groups and spontaneous angry mobs have killed more than 500 alleged gang members this year -- with the alleged support of police officers.

“A spiral of violence between gang members, the population, and the security forces will only add to people’s feelings of insecurity. Efforts to restore security need to be rooted in human rights and go hand in hand with rebuilding the rule of law and justice in the country.”

“The people of Haiti need the unwavering attention and support of the international community,” he said.

“I urge States to support the Gang Suppression Force with sufficient funding and personnel. It is vital to ensure that robust human rights safeguards underpin its work,” Türk concluded.

ENDS

For more information and media requests, please contact:

In Geneva

Ravina Shamdasani: +41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org

Marta Hurtado: + 41 22 917 9466 / marta.hurtadogomez@un.org

Thameen Al-Kheetan: +41 22 917 4232 / thameen.alkheetan@un.org

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