2161 murders, kidnappings and injuries in Haiti

These numbers represent an increase of 16 percent compared to the previous quarter, despite the supposed truce declared by gang alliances in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area.

The Western Governorate, where this capital is located, recorded the largest number of dead, wounded and kidnapped, with 67 percent of the victims, followed by Artibonite, which recorded a significant increase in these cases.

La Pinoh indicated that gangs in certain areas of Port-au-Prince have intensified their coordinated attacks to try to control new areas.

During these “extremely brutal” attacks, the gang members “randomly killed people trying to escape, including children, gang-raped women and girls in their homes, and destroyed many homes and buildings,” the report said.

At least 1,576 people were killed or injured during the third quarter of this year, many of them victims of large-scale attacks, particularly committed by criminal groups belonging to the G-Pèp alliance, in neighborhoods such as Carrefour-Veuille in Port-au. Prince and Maier at the Croix des Bouquets and the Carradeux at Tabarre.

Another 585 were victims of kidnapping, an increase of 96 percent compared to the previous period.

Moreover, gangs use sexual violence as a weapon to punish the population and extend their territorial control, while children are not spared from this phenomenon.

About 36 minors were killed or injured during the quarter, most while in their homes or surrounding neighborhoods when they were attacked, including children from an orphanage in Croix-des-Bouquets who had to flee a Kanaan gang attack.

Children also face recruitment by armed groups who use them as informants to facilitate kidnappings and robberies. They are regularly provided with food and money by gangs, and can be killed if they try to escape the criminal structure.

Given the increasingly serious situation, Benoh reiterated his call on the international community to accelerate the deployment of the multinational security support mission, in conditions consistent with human rights standards.

He also encouraged the government to combat illicit trafficking and diversion of firearms and ammunition, as well as to support the judicial system and restore social services and projects that particularly target young people living in gang-controlled areas.

Note/Ann