Alarming Surge in Gang Violence in Haiti: Over 3,600 Lives Lost in 2024
According to the United Nations, at least 3,661 people have been killed in Haiti in the first half of 2024 due to escalating gang violence, Al Jazeera reported yesterday.
This figure includes 100 children and reflects a continuation of last year’s high levels of violence. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported that the violence has been particularly severe in Port-au-Prince and the Artibonite Department.
The situation deteriorated significantly in February when gangs launched attacks on prisons and state institutions. The report highlighted serious human rights violations, including the use of sexual violence by gangs to instill fear and control populations. Arms trafficking, primarily from the United States, as well as from the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, has fueled this violence. Poorly monitored borders and airspaces have allowed gangs to acquire high-caliber weapons and a steady supply of ammunition.
In response to the crisis, Haiti’s interim prime minister, Garry Conille, has called for international support. The UN is considering a transition from a multinational security support mission to a formal peacekeeping operation, as the current mandate is set to expire soon. Turk has emphasized the need for adequate resources to effectively counter the criminal gangs. The UN Security Council is scheduled to vote on September 30 regarding the renewal of the mission, amid calls for a global arms embargo and further international intervention.
