IOM/Haiti     Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas.

March 21, 2023   Peace and Security

A specialized force must be deployed to urgently help Haitian authorities tackle a tsunami of gang violence, as rapes, sniper killings, and kidnappings become daily threats, the spokesperson for the UN rights chief said on Tuesday.

“We are gravely concerned that extreme violence continues to spiral out of control in Haiti,” said Marta Hurtado, spokesperson for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Volker Türk.

In the first two weeks of March alone, clashes among gangs left at least 208 dead, 164 injured, and 101 kidnapped.

Mirroring those grave concerns, UN Haiti issued a statement early Tuesday, strongly condemning the “extreme violence perpetrated by armed gangs”, and expressing its support for the Haitian people.

Action plan for support force

As ever more violent and frequent clashes between rival gangs in the capital city of Port-au-Prince and other regions are killing and harming hundreds and displacing thousands, she said the High Commissioner said action is needed now.

“We call on the international community to urgently consider the deployment of a time-bound specialized support force under conditions that conform to international human rights laws and norms, with a comprehensive and precise action plan,” she said.

The High Commissioner also urged Haitian authorities to address the grave situation.

“People must be able to return to their homes under safe and dignified conditions,” she said, calling on authorities to strengthen National Police capacities and undertake profound judicial reform, as well as involving more support from the international community.