Urgent Action Needed in Haiti
The situation in Haiti has been described as “cataclysmic” by the UN human rights office, OHCHR. Corruption, impunity, and poor governance, along with escalating gang violence, have severely weakened the rule of law in the country, pushing state institutions to the brink of collapse.
Protecting the Population
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, emphasizes the need to prioritize tackling insecurity to safeguard the population and prevent further suffering. It is crucial to defend the institutions that uphold the rule of law, which have been under severe attack.
Impact on Human Rights
The general insecurity in Haiti has had a devastating impact on human rights, with killings and sexual violence on the rise. Gangs have been using sexual violence as a tool of control, leading to underreported and unpunished cases of abuse.
Recruitment of Children by Gangs
Gangs in Haiti continue to recruit and exploit children, disrupting daily life and instilling fear in the community. The lack of effective policing has led to the emergence of “self-defence brigades” taking matters into their own hands.
Call for Multinational Support
The report calls for tighter controls on weapons trafficking and the urgent deployment of a multinational security support mission to assist the local police force. The integration of human rights into operations is deemed essential for the mission’s success.
Restoring Rule of Law
Addressing widespread corruption and dysfunction in the justice system is crucial to restoring public trust in the rule of law and state institutions. Accountability for human rights violations is highlighted as a key factor in rebuilding a stable society.
Children and Education Crisis
Armed violence in Haiti is exacerbating the nutrition crisis among children, with a significant increase in severe acute malnutrition cases. Attacks on schools are depriving children of their right to education, further destabilizing the situation.
Continued UN Support
UN agencies are actively providing humanitarian assistance in Haiti, including water distribution, food aid, and reproductive health services. However, funding for the humanitarian appeal remains critically low, hindering the scale of support that can be provided.