The United Nations on Tuesday expressed concern about the consequences for the population of the outbreak of “heavily armed” gangs in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, where violence has reached “unimaginable” levels.
“I urge the international community to redouble its efforts to prevent the situation from escalating out of control,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, according to a press release issued by her office.
According to the UN, at least 92 non-gang members and another 96 alleged gang members were killed in coordinated gun attacks in Port-au-Prince between April 24th and May 16th. However, the victim toll may be much heavier in reality.
According to official figures, another 113 people were injured, 12 disappeared and 49 were taken for ransom.
“Armed gang violence has reached unimaginable and unbearable levels in Haiti,” Ms. Bachelet said.
Cases of extreme violence have been reported, according to the UN: beheadings, mutilations, burning of corpses, killings of minors by criminals for allegedly informing rival gangs … Sexual violence, including gang rape and rape under 10 years, and gangs as a weapon.
For Ms. Bachelet, “it is crucial that immediate action is taken to restore the rule of law, to protect the population from armed violence and to hold the perpetrators accountable,” those behind the gangs politically and economically.
The outbreak of violence has forced thousands of people, including many children, to flee their homes in the past three weeks.
The former Chilean president denounces the “very serious consequences” of gang violence on “the most fundamental human rights”: dozens of schools, medical centers, businesses and markets have closed; many residents are finding it difficult, if not impossible, to find basic items.
Traffic on the two main highways, which connect the Haitian capital with the rest of the country, is from dangerous to impossible, as gangs control parts of them.
“Restrictions on the movement of people and goods could have long-term catastrophic consequences for the already difficult economic situation in Haiti,” warns the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Gangs have been ravaging the poorest neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince for decades, but in recent years they have dramatically increased their power and the territories they control. Murders and kidnappings for ransom have multiplied.
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