In January, the highest number of casualties in over two years occurred, with at least 806 individuals being killed, injured, or abducted. These incidents were not linked to violent gang conflicts.

Moreover, approximately 300 individuals belonging to gangs were either fatally wounded or harmed, resulting in a total of 1,108 people impacted – which is more than three times the amount documented in January 2023. The number of casualties continues to rise with each passing day.

Deploy multinational force 

He stated that the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti (MSS) is crucial to the safety and well-being of Haitian citizens. The mission was authorized by the UN Security Council in October and it aims to assist the National Police in providing security to the Haitian population while maintaining international human rights standards.

Gang members continue to clash for control of territory in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and have escalated their activities in areas outside the city. 

Based on information from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, it appears that certain gangs may have recently acquired additional weapons, as evidenced by prolonged and intense conflicts lasting up to several hours.

Sexual violence as a weapon 

Gang members still employ sexual violence as a tactic against women and girls, utilizing social media in the community to disseminate graphic images and footage of murdered individuals and sexual assault on women.

The increasing and pervasive lack of safety, referred to by Mr. Türk as a “flood of aggression,” has led to demonstrations and disorder in over 24 cities, backed by opposition political groups.

In the past few weeks, there have been numerous incidents resulting in the deaths of at least 16 individuals and injuries to 29 others, primarily due to confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement.

Concern for children 

The United Nations’ top official for human rights expressed significant worry about the well-being of children, highlighting that 167 young boys and girls were harmed or killed by gunfire in the previous year.

Certain individuals were put to death by criminal organizations or self-proclaimed “defensive” groups due to their perceived allegiance to opposing factions. The continued enlistment of minors by gangs was a major concern.

UNICEF urges all stakeholders to protect the youngest citizens of Haiti during the current turmoil.

Families and children are currently facing unceasing cycles of severe aggression committed by armed organizations in their communities. Every day brings more terrifying events, such as the death of loved ones, destruction of homes by fire or gunfire, and a constant sense of fear. Bruno Maes, the UNICEF representative in Haiti, expressed these concerns in a statement released on Thursday.

According to him, Haitians are currently experiencing severe breaches of their human rights and are under unprecedented levels of danger, marking a dark period in the nation’s past.

Cease the violence

The country has been plagued by several issues such as political instability, lack of resources, social problems, health emergencies, higher levels of malnourishment, disasters, and an increase in armed conflicts. As a result, more than three million children require aid from humanitarian organizations, and this number will only rise if the situation continues to worsen.

The current instability has resulted in the suspension of crucial societal support, such as education, healthcare, and protection. A representative from UNICEF has called on all involved parties, including authorities at every level, to put an end to the unrest and prioritize the safe reestablishment of these essential services for children in areas where they have been unavailable.

Source: news.un.org