Human rights situation in Haiti remains ‘very alarming’, UN report finds
- 2025-02-04 12:00
GENEVA (4 February 2025) – The human rights situation in Haiti remains “very alarming” and urgent action is needed to address the ongoing crisis, UN human rights experts* have said.
In a report published by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the experts expressed serious concern at the deteriorating security situation in the country, which they said was “fueling human rights violations and abuses”.
Between January and September 2024, at least 1,300 people were reportedly killed in Haiti, with more than 1,000 others injured in gang-related violence. The violence has been particularly severe in poor and marginalized neighborhoods of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
In addition to the violence, the report also documented other serious human rights violations and abuses, including arbitrary arrests and detentions, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and sexual violence.
“The situation in Haiti is a serious threat to regional stability and to the security of the Haitian people,” the UN experts said. “We urge the Haitian authorities to take immediate action to address the crisis and to protect the rights of all Haitians.”
The report makes a number of recommendations to the Haitian authorities, including:
- Urgently addressing the security crisis and stopping the violence.
- Taking measures to protect the rights of all Haitians, including the most vulnerable.
- Investigating and prosecuting human rights violations and abuses.
- Strengthening the rule of law and the justice system.
- Addressing the root causes of the crisis, including poverty, inequality, and corruption.
Background
Haiti has been in a state of political and economic crisis for many years. The country has been plagued by violence, insecurity, and corruption. In 2021, President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated, further deepening the crisis.
The UN has been providing humanitarian assistance to Haiti for many years. However, the ongoing violence and insecurity have made it difficult to deliver aid to those who need it most.
Note to editors * The UN experts who wrote the report are: * Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights * Jean-Baptiste Richardet, head of the OHCHR regional office for the Americas * Isha Dyfan, independent UN expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti
The report is available on the OHCHR website: www.ohchr.org/en/countries/americas-region/haiti/reports
Human rights situation in Haiti remains ‘very alarming’, UN report finds
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