Haiti: 8th Journalist Killed Amid the Ongoing Gang Violence and Instability in Caribbean Nation

Another journalist was killed in Haiti as the Caribbean nation continued to struggle with gang violence and instability. According to the Inter American Press Association (IAPA), Haitian journalist Fritz Dorilas was the eighth journalist killed in Haiti this year as targeted attacks against media members increased.

The IAPA said Dorilas was working with Radio Tele Megastar and was shot dead near his home in Tabarre in Port-au-Prince on November 5, Al Jazeera reported.

In a statement, IAPA official Carlos Jornet said the agency continues to deplore crimes against journalists "this bloody year" in their region. Jornet noted that the lack of justice gives "even more incentive to the violent individuals."

Dorilas' killing happened less than a week after another Haitian journalist died during a protest in Port-au-Prince. The journalist was identified as Romelson Vilsaint, who worked with Radio Tele Zenith.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay called for an investigation last week regarding Vilsaint's death, saying that journalists must be "free to attend and report on the event of public interest" and not to be scared for their safety.

Haitian Journalists Killed in Haiti

Two Haitian reporters were shot dead in September, and their bodies were set on fire. Their killing occurred while reporting in a slum controlled by gangs in the capital.

The Guardian reported that Haitian journalists Tayson Latigue and Frantzsen Charles were among seven journalists who came under attack in the Cite Soleil district of Port-au-Prince. At the time, they were investigating the growing violence in the area, such as the killing of a 17-year-old girl.

A reporter from Haiti's Association of Independent Journalists, Dieudonne St-Cyr, told radio station Metropole Haiti that the two journalists were ambushed by two clashing gangs, which he did not identify.

Five other reporters were able to escape unharmed, while the two journalists were not fortunate enough to do so. The association noted that, at the time, the journalists were simply doing their job and did not commit any crime.

Last month, the Washington Post reported that authorities found the body of another slain radio journalist Garry Tess. Authorities also reported that reporter for Le Nouvelliste newspaper Roberson Alphonse survived a murder attempt. Alphonse was flown to the United States after he underwent several surgeries in Haiti.

Haiti Gang Violence

The United Nations released a report on Friday accusing Haitian gangs of using rape as a tool of intimidation and control in the area, with kidnappings continuing to rise.

The United States has spread a draft U.N. Security Council resolution proposing the quick "deployment of multinational rapid action force" to the country.

U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken also announced that the U.S. will "increase and deploy" security assistance to the Haitian National Police in efforts to strengthen the department's capacity to enforce the law and fight gangs.

Fiammetta Cappellini, the country representative for the Avsi Foundation, said they have never seen violence "like this" in 20 years of working in Haiti. The Avsi foundation is an NGO operating in the nation.

Violence has increased ever since the assassination of Haiti's President Jovenel Moise in July 2021.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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