Haiti Gangs Crisis: Top Rights Expert Decries Attacks on Hospitals
January 3, 2025
Port-au-Prince, Haiti – The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has strongly condemned the recent attacks on hospitals and medical personnel in Haiti, which have exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation in the country.
In a statement issued on Monday, Türk expressed deep concern over the targeting of health facilities, which provide essential services to communities affected by violence and instability. He stressed that attacks on hospitals violate international humanitarian law and may constitute war crimes.
“The deliberate targeting of hospitals and medical personnel is unacceptable,” Türk said. “These attacks deprive people of access to life-saving care and undermine the very foundation of health systems.”
According to the United Nations, at least five hospitals have been attacked by gangs in Haiti in recent months. In one incident, gunmen stormed a hospital in the capital, Port-au-Prince, killing a pregnant woman and her unborn child. In another incident, a hospital in the city of Les Cayes was looted and set on fire, causing significant damage.
The attacks have had a devastating impact on the Haitian people, who are already struggling with food insecurity, disease, and displacement. Hospitals are often the only places where people can access healthcare, and their destruction further exacerbates the crisis.
Türk called on all parties to the conflict in Haiti to respect international law and refrain from targeting hospitals and medical personnel. He also urged the Haitian authorities to take all necessary measures to protect health facilities and ensure the safety of medical workers.
“Attacks on hospitals and medical personnel are not only unlawful but also immoral,” Türk said. “They deprive people of their right to health and undermine the trust that communities have in essential services.”
The United Nations has appealed for urgent international assistance to address the humanitarian crisis in Haiti. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that at least 2.5 million Haitians are in need of immediate healthcare assistance.
The international community must work together to provide support to Haiti and end the violence that is destroying lives and livelihoods. The attacks on hospitals and medical personnel must not be tolerated, and those responsible must be held accountable.
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.
Peace and Security 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.
12