The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported a staggering death toll in Haiti due to gang violence, exceeding 1,500 lives lost this year, with a distressing number being Haiti children.

Shockingly, dozens have fallen victim to brutal acts of lynching, stoning, or even burning alive by self-proclaimed defense groups, according to Reuters.

The report indicates gangs, dominating over 80% of Port-au-Prince, recruit and exploit Haiti children, resorting to violence, even killing those attempting to flee.

Against the backdrop of Haiti's intensifying gang warfare, Prime Minister Ariel Henry's resignation on March 11 underscored the gravity of the situation.

Volker Turk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, emphasized the urgent need to address Haiti's security crisis, denouncing these horrific acts and calling for immediate cessation.

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Coordinated Attacks and Humanitarian Catastrophe

A recent UN report detailed a harrowing sequence of events between September 25, 2023, and February 29, highlighting coordinated assaults by heavily armed gang leaders, BBC noted.

These attacks targeted critical infrastructure, including police stations, ports, and airports in Port-au-Prince.

The Haiti gang violence has been devastating, resulting in the release of thousands of inmates from major prisons and the widespread destruction of schools, hospitals, and other essential facilities.

William O'Neill, a UN expert on human rights, described the situation in Port-au-Prince as akin to an "open-air prison," with residents paralyzed by fear, unable to leave their homes.

The severity of the crisis has drawn comparisons to past dark periods in Haiti's history, with O'Neill asserting that it surpasses even the atrocities witnessed during the Duvalier dictatorship.

Humanitarian Fallout and Urgent Intervention

Beyond urban centers, Haiti gang violence has crippled rural areas north of the capital, rendering hospitals and clinics inoperative and forcing school closures.

The Artibonite department has witnessed attacks on farms and the theft of livestock, stripping farmers of their livelihoods.

Along the northern coast, the Village de Dieu gang continues to terrorize residents and local businesses, exacerbating poverty and insecurity.

Turkand O'Neill echoed calls for immediate action, stressing the critical need for a UN-backed Multinational Security Support mission to restore stability and safeguard the population.

 However, obstacles such as delayed funding pledges and political reluctance hinder progress, prolonging the suffering of Haitian citizens, the Miami Herald reports.

The United Nations report highlights a distressing trend of escalating Haiti gang violence, exacerbated by corruption, impunity, and poor governance.

Gang-related activities have resulted in thousands of Haiti deaths, widespread property destruction, and a collapse of state institutions, pushing the country to the brink of chaos.

While self-defense brigades have emerged as a response to the escalating threat, their actions have led to a concerning rise in lynching incidents.

Immediate action is necessary to tackle the underlying reasons for the violence, protect vulnerable populations, and restore the rule of law.

The international community must prioritize Haiti's plight, taking prompt and resolute steps to ease the plight of its citizens.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

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