UN says situation in Haiti is ‘cataclysmic’

The United Nations says the situation in Haiti is “cataclysmic” with more than 1,500 people killed by gang violence so far this year.

In a new report the UN rights office details how “corruption, impunity and poor governance, compounded by increasing levels of gang violence had eroded the rule of law and have brought state institutions close to collapse”.

Haiti has been rocked by surging clashes since late February when gangs launched a coordinated offensive and demanded Prime Minister Ariel Henry resign.

Henry said he was going to step down more than two weeks ago after a transitional council is set up but arguing among party leaders has made this impossible.

The UN rights office determined that gang violence killed 4,451 Haitians last year and in the first three months of this year that number is 1,554.

The report describes rampant sexual violence, including women being forced into sexual relations with gang members and hostages being raped after seeing their husbands killed in front of them.

It also highlighted the recruitment and abuse of children who are unable to leave the gangs for fear of retaliation.

UN rights chief Volker Turk said these practices are outrageous and must stop at once.

The report also pointed to the so-called “self-defence brigades” set up to counter the intensifying gang violence, warning that they continue to take justice into their own hands.

Despite an international arms embargo put in place the report says there is still a reliable supply of weapons and ammunition entering the country.

Turk appealed for a more effective implementation of the arms embargo.

The report also reiterated the need for an urgent deployment of a Multinational Security Support mission to help Haiti’s police stop the violence and protect the population.

It also emphasised that enhancing security alone would not bring long lasting solutions to Haiti stressing the need for policies aimed at restoring the rule of law.