More than a dozen people alleged to be members of an armed gang were stoned or burned alive by angry mobs in a Port-au-Prince neighborhood on Monday, police and eyewitnesses said, as the UN rang its bell once again. risk for insecurity in the Caribbean state, according to him worthy of countries where “armed conflicts” are unfolding.

The new orgy of deadly violence was recorded as police officers went to arrest suspects, amid escalating clashes in the capital.

“During a search of a minibus in which armed men were riding, the police proceeded to confiscate weapons and other material,” but then “more than ten people riding in this vehicle were unfortunately lynched” by civilians, the Haitian police said in a press release. which he published.

Police did not specify the exact number of victims. She also gave no explanation as to how she lost control of the situation and how the suspects who had her men in their hands were murdered by residents of this district, Kanape Ver.

The violence began before dawn when gang members stormed neighborhoods in the capital, ransacking homes and attacking passers-by, residents and witnesses said.

“We were woken up by gunshots. It was three in the morning, the gangs invaded our neighborhood. We heard gunfire, and more gunfire,” a resident of the Turgo neighborhood told AFP.

Humanitarian crisis

“If gangs come to invade our homes, we will defend ourselves, we have guns too, we have machetes, we will take their weapons, we will not take it lightly,” said another resident, visibly angry. “Moms who want to protect their children should send them elsewhere,” he added.

Families were indeed leaving yesterday Monday, by the dozen, neighborhoods that were the target of thug attacks, AFP journalists found. Men, women and children fled on foot, carrying their few possessions.

At least three other alleged gang members were killed and their bodies burned in broad daylight yesterday, according to photos and videos uploaded to social media sites.

Insecurity in the Haitian capital has now reached levels “comparable to those in countries at war”, the UN said in a report released on Monday, underscoring the continuing sharp increase in killings and kidnappings in its poorest state. western hemisphere.

“The Haitian people remain mired in one of the worst human rights crises in decades and a major humanitarian crisis,” summarizes the report signed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Amid “the rising death toll and the expanding extent of areas controlled by armed gangs, insecurity in the capital has reached levels comparable to those of countries at war,” the text insists.

“Severe” conflicts

From January 1 to March 31, the number of recorded murders in the country increased by 21% compared to the previous quarter (815 vs. 673) and the number of kidnappings by 63% (637 vs. 391).

Dozens of armed gangs “continue to fight for control of territory in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area and are expanding into neighborhoods that had remained untouched until now,” the report continued, citing “more violent and frequent” clashes between gangs or between police. and gangs.

Consequently, “the situation of people living in areas controlled by armed gangs remains dire” and “in areas recently targeted by gangs, the situation is rapidly deteriorating”.

Always according to the report, from April 14 to 19 alone, clashes between gangs resulted in the deaths of 70 civilians, including 18 women and at least two minors.

Given the situation, the UN Secretary General reiterated in the text that it is “urgent” to “deploy an international armed special force” to help the Haitian police restore order.

In October 2022, Antonio Guterres took Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henri’s appeal for help to the Security Council, asking for an international force to be formed and deployed in the country. To no avail so far: although some countries have expressed a willingness to participate, none seem willing to take the lead.

Around 200 gangs operate in the country – often with absolute impunity – and are believed to control up to 80% of the capital’s metropolitan area.