Quarterly Report on the Human Rights Situation in Haiti

Quarterly Report on the Human Rights Situation in Haiti

Summary: This quarterly report details the human rights situation in Haiti from January to March 2024, highlighting a significant increase in gang violence. Over 2,500 people were killed or injured, and widespread attacks targeted public institutions and infrastructure, leading to mass prison escapes. The report also covers the impact on economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as the challenges faced by the judicial system.
Key Findings
Full Description

The quarterly report for January-March 2024 reveals a drastic deterioration of the human rights situation in Haiti, marking the most violent period since early 2022. Gang-related violence resulted in at least 2,505 people killed or injured, primarily in the West and Artibonite departments, alongside 438 kidnappings. Coordinated gang attacks targeted key public institutions, including prisons and police stations, leading to over 4,600 inmate escapes and significant damage. The report also documents the continued use of sexual violence by gangs, the rise of mob justice, and the severe impact on children, economic activities, and access to essential services.

Furthermore, the document details the dysfunction of the judicial system due to strikes, expiring mandates, and gang attacks on courts. It highlights ongoing investigations into high-profile cases like the assassination of President Moïse and corruption allegations, alongside critical issues in detention conditions, including high pre-trial detention rates and inmate deaths from malnutrition. The report concludes with recommendations for both the international community and the Haitian government to address the escalating crisis, including accelerating security mission deployment, strengthening judicial capacity, and providing support for victims of violence.

How to cite

United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH); Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), 2024, Quarterly Report on the Human Rights Situation in Haiti, https://binuh.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/2024_q1_human_rights_quarterly_report_en_19.04.2024.pdf