2023-08-18 13:20:08
Armed gangs reign terror in Haiti. Their violence has resulted in more than 2,400 deaths since the beginning of the year, the UN said on Friday. “Between January 1 and August 15 of this year, at least 2,439 people were killed and 902 others injured,” OHCHR spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said during a briefing by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. UN in Geneva.
In response to ongoing gang violence and widespread insecurity, there has been an increase in “mob justice” movements or vigilante groups. “From April 24 until mid-August, more than 350 people were lynched by the local population and vigilante groups. Among those killed are 310 suspected gang members, 46 members of the public and a policeman,” Ravina Shamdasani said.
Urgent measures to protect human rights
Faced with the wave of violence, which further intensified between August 11 and 15, Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, calls for urgent measures to be taken following the UN Secretary-General’s call for a non-UN multinational force to help the Haitian police deal with the situation.
“The human rights of the Haitian people must be protected and their suffering alleviated,” said Volker Türk, who visited the country in February. Haiti has been stuck for years in a deep economic, security and political crisis, which has reinforced the hold of gangs. These armed gangs control about 80% of the Haitian capital and violent crimes are frequent.
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