UN: HAITIAN GANGS KILL OVER 600, DISPLACE 18,000 IN FIVE MONTHS

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By: Fasasi Hammad

The United Nations has raised fresh concerns over escalating gang violence in Haiti, saying armed groups continue to terrorise communities through brutal attacks that have inflicted “wanton and intentional” suffering on thousands of people.

The UN’s Designated Human Rights Expert on Haiti, William O’Neill, made the remarks following the release of a new report documenting widespread atrocities committed by gangs in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas.

According to the report, at least 613 people were killed and 375 others injured in just two neighbourhoods of the Haitian capital between March and July 31.

The UN said more than one-third of those killed were civilians with no links to criminal gangs, including 111 women and 77 children.

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The report also documented the rape of more than 176 women and girls by gang members, noting that many of the assaults were carried out as punishment against people living in territories controlled by rival gangs.

It added that over 18,000 residents have been displaced from their homes as a result of the violence, according to findings by UN human rights monitors published by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).

The report highlighted several harrowing incidents, including the case of a woman who was raped by armed men after they set her house ablaze and killed her husband and two-year-old daughter.

In another case, a woman was stopped by gang members, accused of spying for a rival gang and executed on the spot.

The UN also reported that two teenagers were shot dead after being accused of passing information to a rival gang, while a 71-year-old man was killed as he searched for food.

In one of the deadliest incidents, 17 boys aged between 15 and 17 were executed after being suspected of working for a rival gang. Some of the victims were reportedly taken to a dumpsite where they were shot.

The report further revealed that following a World Cup football match between Haiti and Scotland on June 13, about 300 people walked into a neighbourhood where they came under attack by gang members.

At least 61 people were killed and 20 others injured in the assault, including seven children, the youngest of whom was just seven years old.