After spending a week in the country, the United Nations’ specialized consultant on human rights in Haiti, William O’Neill, informed journalists on Tuesday that the situation in Haiti is extremely critical.
There is ongoing gang violence in Haiti, with the UN estimating that these groups currently control 85% of the capital city, Port-au-Prince. The conflict persists despite the presence of a United Nations-backed multilateral mission, led by Kenyan forces who operate alongside Haiti’s police force.
O’Neill mentioned that despite efforts made, the threat of the capital being taken over by gangs is very real. “These violent criminal groups are continually expanding and fortifying their presence, even in areas beyond the capital,” he stated. “They kill, rape, terrorize, set homes, orphanages, schools, hospitals, and places of worship on fire. They recruit children and infiltrate all layers of society,” he further explained.
He declared that this level of violence and abuses occur with complete disregard for consequences and sometimes with “the complicity of powerful actors”. O’Neill maintained that addressing this impunity and corruption requires top priority from the Haitian state, yet emphasized that these actions must be carried out in strict accordance with the principles of international human rights law, especially the right to life. He insisted, “No circumstances, no matter how exceptional, can justify the violation of this fundamental right.”
Furthermore, O’Neill urged national and international entities to respect human rights legislation. He called on neighboring countries, particularly the United States—which is a major source of Haiti’s illicit arms—to take more decisive actions to curb the influx of firearms to criminal groups.
“Time is of the essence. There is no alternative. The survival of Haiti itself is under threat,” O’Neill declared. The United Nations reported that more than 5,600 individuals were killed in the country last year, with gang violence causing the displacement of over a million Haitians in recent years.
Source: http://www.africanews.com/2025/03/12/uns-haiti-human-rights-expert-warns-of-dire-situation/
