(2024-12) Quarterly Report on the Human Rights Situation in Haiti (October-December 2024)
Summary — This report details the human rights situation in Haiti from October to December 2024, highlighting a significant increase in violence from gangs, self-defense groups, and police operations. It records 1,732 killings and 431 kidnappings during the quarter, bringing the annual totals to 5,626 killed and 1,494 kidnapped. The document also addresses the impact on children, sexual violence, and the justice system, offering recommendations to national and international actors.
Key Findings
- 1,732 people killed and 411 injured due to violence, bringing 2024 totals to 5,626 killed and 2,213 injured.
- 431 people kidnapped, totaling 1,494 for 2024, with 93% in Artibonite.
- 86 summary or arbitrary executions by law enforcement officials, including 80 by HNP.
- Violence by self-defense groups accounted for 268 killings (13% of casualties).
- 21 detainees died in prisons, bringing the 2024 total to 186.
Full Description
This quarterly report by the Human Rights Service of BINUH provides a comprehensive overview of the human rights situation in Haiti from October to December 2024. It reveals a dire escalation of violence, with 1,732 people killed and 411 injured, and 431 kidnappings during the period, primarily due to gang activities, self-defense groups, and police operations. The report notes a 22% increase in killings and injuries and a 150% increase in kidnappings compared to the previous quarter, with the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince and the Artibonite department being the most affected. It highlights specific massacres, the rise of 'Bwa Kalé' popular justice, and concerns about child trafficking and exploitation by gangs.
The document also details the impact of violence on economic, social, and cultural rights, including the destruction of essential services like hospitals and schools. It examines the functioning of the justice system, noting key appointments but also a lack of progress in major human rights violation cases. Conditions in Haitian prisons remain inhumane, with 21 detainee deaths during the quarter. The report concludes with recommendations to the international community and the Haitian government to address the security crisis, strengthen the rule of law, and protect human rights.