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Haiti Facing Escalating Crisis Amidst Gang Violence and Humanitarian Emergency
Volker Türk, addressing the Human Rights Council in Geneva, has expressed grave concerns over the deteriorating situation in Haiti, which he described as reaching “yet another crisis point.” The country is witnessing a significant expansion in gang control, a breakdown of public institutions, and a deepening humanitarian crisis.
“The typical characterization of gang violence does not convey the profound suffering inflicted on the Haitian populace,” Mr. Türk remarked.
Between July 2024 and February 2025, 4,239 individuals lost their lives and 1,356 sustained injuries, with a staggering 92 percent of casualties resulting from gun violence.
Gangs, increasingly armed with sophisticated weapons primarily trafficked from overseas, are wreaking havoc in communities. This violence encompasses the destruction of educational and healthcare institutions, alongside the use of sexual violence and mass abductions to instill fear.
Destruction as Governance
The High Commissioner cautioned that gang activity has expanded beyond specific areas in Port-au-Prince, asserting control over broader regions. Gangs such as the Viv Ansanm coalition are conducting coordinated assaults that often leave police outnumbered, seizing or destroying schools, orphanages, courts, media organizations, and hospitals.
A particularly brutal incident reported in December resulted in at least 207 fatalities within just five days in Cité Soleil.
“Sexual violence is being strategically employed as a means of control,” Mr. Türk noted, citing instances of gang rapes in public settings and executions following assaults.
The forced recruitment and trafficking of children have also seen a troubling increase. Additionally, more than 700 kidnappings were recorded during the reporting period. Those who tried to resist abduction faced dire consequences, often being shot.
Police Violence and Impunity
In spite of the efforts from the Haitian National Police and the Security Council-mandated Multinational Security Support Mission, the state is progressively losing its grip on law and order.
Law enforcement efforts against gangs have resulted in over 2,000 victims either killed or injured, marking a 60 percent rise, with nearly a third of those casualties involving innocent individuals.
According to the OHCHR, there were at least 219 extrajudicial killings by specialized police units during the recent reporting period, a sharp increase from just 33 the previous year.
Instances of mob lynching and the rise of self-defense groups have also been noted, sometimes with the complicity of police forces.
Mr. Türk urged for expedited deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission while ensuring comprehensive human rights compliance mechanisms are in place.
Hunger, Displacement, Despair
The violent climate has led to a staggering human toll. Currently, more than one million individuals are displaced, with 40,000 of those displacements occurring in recent weeks alone.
Half of the Haitian population, approximately 5.5 million people, grapples with acute food insecurity, and around two million are facing emergency levels of hunger.
Nearly 6,000 individuals are reportedly living under famine-like conditions, with 500,000 children displaced, a quarter of whom are suffering from stunted growth due to malnutrition.
Health infrastructure is crumbling, with only half of the medical facilities in the capital functioning fully, while 31 percent have closed as a result of insecurity.
“The repercussions for children are particularly devastating,” said Mr. Türk. “This will have enduring impacts on their lives.”
Justice, Not Just Security
The High Commissioner acknowledged Haiti’s recent establishment of two specialized judicial units aimed at addressing human rights violations and financial crimes; however, he emphasized that these efforts are merely a starting point.
“The vital first step is to curtail the illegal flow of arms into the nation,” he urged, highlighting the necessity of effectively implementing the Security Council’s arms embargo, travel restrictions, and asset freezes.
Mr. Türk reiterated that “a path forward exists,” yet it hinges on political resolve, international backing, and prompt actions to break the cycle of corruption, impunity, and senseless violence.
“I implore everyone, including the media, to shine a light on this crisis,” he stated. “The Haitian people must not be overlooked.”
Source
news.un.org