The United Nations disclosed on Thursday that there were 1,860 reported cases of individuals killed, injured, or kidnapped in Haiti during the period from April to June.
This represents a 14% increase compared to the first three months of the year.
The surge in violent incidents, predominantly involving gang-related violence, remains concentrated in the capital city of Port-au-Prince and its surrounding regions. A staggering number of nearly 300 people were killed or injured by snipers in the impoverished Cite Soleil slum, as detailed in a human rights report released by the U.N.'s Integrated Office in Haiti, known as BINUH.
This report came out a day after the U.S. Embassy in Haiti issued a warning, urging U.S. citizens to evacuate the Caribbean nation "as soon as possible" due to the ongoing insecurity and significant infrastructure challenges.
From April to June, a total of 13 police officers and over 460 gang members lost their lives in Haiti, as reported by the United Nations. The majority of gang members met their demise through lynching, followed by police shootings. Additionally, a violent civilian uprising known as "bwa kale" that started in April led to the deaths of at least 230 suspected gang members, targeted by the uprising.
During this period, 298 individuals were kidnapped, representing a 24% decrease compared to the previous quarter. A significant portion of these kidnappings occurred in the Artibonite region north of Port-au-Prince, which has experienced a surge in gang violence and homicides.
Gangs have continued to employ rape and mutilation as methods to instill fear and punish those residing in areas controlled by rival gangs, according to the U.N. In April alone, at least 49 women in Cite Soleil were subjected to sexual assault as they attempted to escape gang-related violence, with seven of them losing their lives subsequently.
Furthermore, gangs have been held responsible for looting or setting fire to nearly 100 homes during the period from April to June. They also hijacked a minimum of 13 commercial trucks transporting essential goods like fuel and food. The report also noted incidents of commercial boats and barges being hijacked by these criminal groups.
BINUH, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, has highlighted that a pervasive culture of impunity persists in Haiti, with few individuals being held accountable for acts of violence.
The report underlined that the country's judicial system continues to face significant challenges, including corruption, political interference, and recurring strikes by judicial actors, which has contributed to its dysfunctionality.
Furthermore, BINUH's findings revealed that Haitian prisons remain plagued by inhumane and degrading conditions. Approximately 85% of the 11,810 inmates are held in pre-trial detention, leading to a cell occupancy rate exceeding 330%. Tragically, more than 30 inmates succumbed to malnutrition-related diseases between April and June.
Notably, these revelations come after a team of officials from Kenya arrived in Haiti, tasked with assessing the most effective means of quelling gang violence in a nation of over 11 million people, where there are only approximately 10,000 active police officers.
The United States is in the process of drafting a U.N. Security Council resolution that would authorize Kenya to lead a multinational force and provide 1,000 officers. However, there is no set timetable for submitting the resolution and holding a vote.
Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry had previously requested the immediate deployment of a foreign armed force in October, seeking assistance in combating gangs that have progressively seized control of more territory since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021.