Haiti Needs an Urgent Rights-Based Response to Escalating Crisis
Date of Publication
1-1-2023 12:00 AM
Security Theme
Human Rights
Keywords
Kidnapping, violence, crisis, haiti, sexual violence, human rights
Description
Between January and June 2023, criminal groups in Haiti have killed over 2,000 people, a 125% increase from the same period in 2022, and conducted over 1,000 kidnappings, with sexual violence being a rampant tactic. This surge in violence, particularly in the Port-au-Prince area, has been compounded by a failure of the Haitian government to protect its citizens, prompting some residents to turn to vigilante justice. The situation is aggravated by political stalemate, judicial system dysfunction, and longstanding impunity for human rights violations. Moreover, the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 has left Prime Minister Ariel Henry in control without any consensus on a democratic transition. Compounding the crisis, nearly half of Haiti's 11.5 million population faces acute food insecurity, with the country now among the most at risk for starvation globally. Additionally, about 195,000 Haitians have been internally displaced due to violence since 2022, and tens of thousands have been forcibly returned to the country from places like the Dominican Republic, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. A notable hotspot of violence is the Brooklyn area of Cité Soleil, where power struggles between criminal factions have severely hampered residents' access to basic services. Haiti's obligations under international human rights treaties require it to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, and liberty. Yet, despite these treaties, rampant abuses continue. In late 2022, both the Prime Minister and the UN secretary-general called for international intervention, with Kenya recently considering a multinational force's deployment. Haitian civil society representatives stress that only a new, legitimate transitional government can bring about lasting change. They caution against propping up the current government, which they view as illegitimate and corrupt, and highlight the country's history of foreign interference, forced debt, and previous support for dictatorial regimes. While many stakeholders believe an international force may be necessary, they also emphasize the importance of learning from past mistakes. Human Rights Watch urges the UN and international communities to support a rights-respecting, accountable, Haitian-led approach and for the establishment of a transitional government to restore stability until democratic elections can be held. The situation in Haiti is dire, with many Haitians living in terror and desperation, necessitating immediate international attention and support.
Haiti Needs an Urgent Rights-Based Response to Escalating Crisis
Between January and June 2023, criminal groups in Haiti have killed over 2,000 people, a 125% increase from the same period in 2022, and conducted over 1,000 kidnappings, with sexual violence being a rampant tactic. This surge in violence, particularly in the Port-au-Prince area, has been compounded by a failure of the Haitian government to protect its citizens, prompting some residents to turn to vigilante justice. The situation is aggravated by political stalemate, judicial system dysfunction, and longstanding impunity for human rights violations. Moreover, the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 has left Prime Minister Ariel Henry in control without any consensus on a democratic transition. Compounding the crisis, nearly half of Haiti's 11.5 million population faces acute food insecurity, with the country now among the most at risk for starvation globally. Additionally, about 195,000 Haitians have been internally displaced due to violence since 2022, and tens of thousands have been forcibly returned to the country from places like the Dominican Republic, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. A notable hotspot of violence is the Brooklyn area of Cité Soleil, where power struggles between criminal factions have severely hampered residents' access to basic services. Haiti's obligations under international human rights treaties require it to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, and liberty. Yet, despite these treaties, rampant abuses continue. In late 2022, both the Prime Minister and the UN secretary-general called for international intervention, with Kenya recently considering a multinational force's deployment. Haitian civil society representatives stress that only a new, legitimate transitional government can bring about lasting change. They caution against propping up the current government, which they view as illegitimate and corrupt, and highlight the country's history of foreign interference, forced debt, and previous support for dictatorial regimes. While many stakeholders believe an international force may be necessary, they also emphasize the importance of learning from past mistakes. Human Rights Watch urges the UN and international communities to support a rights-respecting, accountable, Haitian-led approach and for the establishment of a transitional government to restore stability until democratic elections can be held. The situation in Haiti is dire, with many Haitians living in terror and desperation, necessitating immediate international attention and support.
