Haiti Gangs Crisis: Top Rights Expert Decries Attacks on Hospitals
January 3, 2025
Geneva – A leading United Nations rights expert has strongly condemned the recent attacks on hospitals in Haiti by armed gangs, calling them a “flagrant violation” of international law.
In a statement issued on January 3, 2025, Agnes Callamard, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, expressed deep concern over the escalating violence against healthcare facilities and personnel in Haiti.
“The systematic attacks on hospitals and health workers by armed gangs in Haiti constitute a heinous crime,” Callamard said. “These attacks are not only a violation of human rights but also undermine the fundamental principles of healthcare and humanitarian relief.”
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), there have been at least 15 attacks on hospitals in Haiti in the past six months. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of healthcare workers, patients, and civilians seeking medical care.
The gangs have been targeting hospitals in retaliation for government security operations against their strongholds. They have looted hospital equipment, kidnapped medical staff, and threatened patients.
“The impunity with which these gangs operate is unacceptable,” Callamard said. “The Haitian authorities must take immediate action to put an end to these attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
Callamard called on the international community to support the Haitian government in its efforts to protect hospitals and healthcare workers. She also urged the parties to the ongoing conflict to respect the sanctity of medical facilities and personnel.
“The right to health is a fundamental human right,” Callamard said. “Attacks on hospitals and healthcare workers are an affront to this right and must not be tolerated.”
The UN human rights system has repeatedly condemned the violations of human rights in Haiti and called for an end to the violence. The UN Security Council has also expressed concern over the situation and urged the Haitian authorities to address the humanitarian crisis.
However, the violence has continued unabated, with devastating consequences for the Haitian people. The country is currently facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of people in need of food, water, and healthcare.
Haiti gangs crisis: Top rights expert decries attacks on hospitals
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
Human Rights a new article on 2025-01-03 12:00 titled “Haiti gangs crisis: Top rights expert decries attacks on hospitals”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
3