Violence in Haiti: Over 1,200 Deaths Between July and September
Gang violence and efforts to combat these gangs led to 1,223 deaths and 522 injuries in Haiti from July to September, according to data released by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) on Wednesday.
Criminal violence remains concentrated in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince and the Artibonite department. The BINUH report also highlighted at least 170 incidents of kidnapping.
The BINUH has expressed deep concern over the ongoing acts of violence perpetrated by gangs against women and girls, with many victims attacked while walking or using public transportation. Tragically, some of these individuals have lost their lives.
During the third quarter, at least 59 children were killed or injured. These young victims face a range of threats, including murder, injury, kidnapping, sexual violence, human trafficking, and gang recruitment.
In this context, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti deems the impact of violence on children to be “particularly concerning.”
To address these issues, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security and the Superior Council of the Judiciary have signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. This agreement aims to establish specialized judicial hubs to effectively combat mass crimes, including sexual violence and financial offenses, with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Given the prevailing insecurity and violence, the report urges the international community to prioritize Haiti on its agenda and accelerate the full deployment of the multinational security support mission, in alignment with human rights standards and norms.
