(2024-Q4) Rapport trimestriel sur la situation des droits humains en Haïti

Page 1 of 17 QUARTERLY REPORT ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN HAITI October - December 2024 Page 2 of 17 Main Takeaways • 1,732 people were killed and 411 injured as a result of gang violence, self-defense groups, and police operations. This brings the total number of people killed to 5,626 and injured to 2,213 in 2024. • 431 people were kidnapped, bringing the total to 1,494 for 2024. • 86 summary or arbitrary executions were carried out by law enforcement officials (80 by the Haitian National Police and six by the Public Prosecutor of Miragoâne). Among the victims were two children. In total, since the beginning of the year, at least 281 people have been executed by the police and 42 by the Public Prosecutor of Miragoâne. • The violence perpetrated by self-defense groups and members of the population has become a significant source of human rights abuses, with 268 people killed, accounting for 13% of all casualties during the quarter. • 21 detainees have died, bringing the total to 186 in 2024. • Local actors have continued to raise concerns about the increase in child trafficking and their exploitation by gangs. • Several appointments to key positions have taken place within the judicial system, including the Minister of Justice and Public Security, members of the Superior Council of the Judiciary and the Ombudsman. • Recommandationsnse, ainsi que des opérations de la police. Cela porte le total de personnes tuées à 5 626 et blessées à 2 213 en 2024. • 431 personnes ont été enlevées, soit plus de 1 494 pour Recommandations • To the international community: maintain Haiti on the international agenda and accelerate the full deployment of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, in accordance with human rights standards and norms, as outlined in United Nations Security Council resolution 2699 (2023). • To the countries of the region: strengthen and increase the number of inspections of shipments destined for Haiti on their territory, including at seaports and airports, in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions 2653 (2022) and 2752 (2024), which impose an arms embargo. • To the Haitian government: establish by decree the creation of specialized judicial task forces (pôles judiciaires spécialisés) to combat mass crimes, including sexual violence and financial crimes. • To the Haitian government: with the support of the international community, accelerate the effective implementation of the vetting process within the police and bring to justice police officers accused of being involved in serious human rights violations. • To the Haitian government: with the support of the international community, establish a rehabilitation and reintegration program for minors involved in gangs. Page 3 of 17 Page 4 of 17 I. Violence and human rights violations According to the Human Rights Service (HRS) of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), between 1 October and 31 December 2024, at least 1,732 people were killed and 411 injured as a result of gang violence, self-defense groups, and operations by the Haitian National Police (HNP). Men represent 77 percent of the victims, women 19 percent and children 4 percent. The vast majority of these abuses were documented in the metropolitan area of Port-au- Prince, followed by the Artibonite department and the Central and Northern departments 1 . At the same time, during the fourth quarter, at least 431 people 2 were kidnapped for ransom by gangs, with 93 percent in the Artibonite department and 7 percent in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince. Overall, this data indicates a 22 percent increase in the number of victims of killings and injuries compared to the third quarter (July - September) 3 , bringing the total number of people killed to 5,626 and the number of people injured to 2,213 in 2024 4 . They also show a 150 percent increase in kidnappings compared to the previous period. 1 The metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince continues to account for the largest number of victims (75 percent), followed by the Artibonite (22 percent) and the Central (1 percent) and North (1 percent) departments. 2 256 men, 168 women and seven children. 3 Between July and September 2024, at least 1,239 people were killed, and 522 others were injured. During this period, sexual violence targeting women and girls continued to take place in several neighborhoods of the capital under gang control. Three dynamics of violence and abuses against the population, which had clearly emerged during the third quarter, were further consolidated. First, there is the violence linked to the criminal activities of gangs, which were responsible for 46 percent of the killings or injuries. During the quarter, at least three massacres took place in Wharf Jérémie, Pont Sondé and Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite. Second, law enforcement operations against the gangs and executions by the police accounted for 39 percent of the documented deaths and injuries. Finally, the violent actions of self-defense groups and the “popular justice” movement, known as “Bwa Kalé”, represented 15 percent of the documented incidents (deaths and injuries). 4 5,626 victims of killings (4,623 men, 819 women and 184 children) and 2,213 victims of injury (1,616 men, 492 women and 105 children). This also represents a 26 percent increase in the number of casualties compared to 2023. Page 5 of 17 1.1. Dynamics of gang-related violence and its impact on human rights During this quarter, despite the decrease in gang clashes recorded since February 2024 5 , gangs continued to commit abuses against the population in order to strengthen their grip on areas already under their control or to expand their influence into adjacent areas. 5 In late February 2024, with the self-proclaimed intention of overthrowing the government in power, most rival gangs in the capital shifted their strategy and formed a coalition known as “Viv Ansanm”. 6 The United Nations Expert Group on Haiti identified Monel Felix, also known as "Micanor Altès," as the leader of the Wharf Jérémie gang, in the Final Report of the Panel of Experts on Haiti submitted pursuant to resolution 2700 (2023), 30 September 2024, S/2024/704 West Department: metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince Neighborhood of Wharf Jérémie (Port-au-Prince) Between 6 and 11 December, at least 207 people (134 men and 73 women) were killed by members of the Wharf Jérémie gang, led by Monel Felix, alias “Micanor” 6 . The majority of the victims were elderly people, accused of practicing voodoo and being responsible for the death of the gang leader’s child. The victims were forcibly dragged from their homes and from a place of worship, then taken to the gang’s stronghold, where they were shot or killed with machetes. Other victims included family members of these elderly individuals, who were targeted for attempting to flee the area, as well as people suspected of having passed information about these crimes to local media. After the killings, the gang attempted to erase all evidence by burning the bodies or dismembering them before dumping them into the sea. Throughout the five days of the attack, neither the police nor any other public authority intervened to protect the residents of Wharf Jérémie 7 . Neighborhoods of lower Delmas (Delmas) and Port-au-Prince The populations of the neighborhoods of lower Delmas and downtown Port-au-Prince, under the strong grip of the Base Pilate, Gran Ravine, Delmas 6, Les Argentins and Village de Dieu gangs, continued to suffer severe abuses. They were particularly victims of targeted killings and indiscriminate shootings, as well as stray bullets during clashes between these gangs, and the police and self-defense groups. 7 For more details on this massacre, see BINUH, “Flash report: 207 people executed by the Wharf Jérémie gang (Port-au-Prince)”, December 23, 2024, available at http://binuh.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/flash_report_20241223_wharf _jeremie_fr.pdf Main gang attacks Place Number of people killed or injured Duration of attacks Pont Sondé (Saint Marc) 100 killed and 16 injured 3 October Arcahaie 23 killed 21 October Sarthe (Cité Soleil) 21 killed and 9 injured 11 November Ka Miyay (Carrefour) and Pedro (Léogane) 50 killed 29 November Wharf Jérémie (Port-au-Prince) 207 killed 6 - 11 December Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite 70 killed 11 December Page 6 of 17 Such incidents were notably documented in the Solino neighborhood (Port-au-Prince), where, after a strategy of territorial expansion throughout 2024, gangs intensified their attacks between mid-October and mid-November. The takeover of Solino allowed the gangs to more easily target the areas of higher Delmas and Pétion-Ville. Other neighborhoods in Delmas and Port-au-Prince were also affected by gang violence, such as Fort National, Nazon and Poste Marchand (Port-au-Prince), as well as the areas between Delmas 1 and Delmas 24, where at least 160 people 8 were victims of killings and injuries during the quarter. Communes of Cité Soleil, Croix-des-Bouquets and Tabarre In the communes of Cité Soleil, Croix-des-Bouquets and Tabarre, gangs such as the 400 Mawozo, Chen Mechan, Canaan, Pierre VI and Terre Noire modified their strategies of territorial control by limiting indiscriminate attacks on local populations to reduce mass displacement, while also seeking to encourage the return of displaced people and the resumption of commercial activities. In Cité Soleil, they also removed numerous barricades and sniper positions, known as « VAR » 9 , from where they had been shooting at the population in neighborhoods controlled by their rivals. According to local analysts, this tactic aimed to use the population as a shield against police operations supported by the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission. However, although indiscriminate attacks significantly decreased, the gangs continued to strengthen their criminal governance, repressing and inflicting brutal punishments on those who opposed their rules or presence. During the fourth quarter, at least 88 people (64 men, 14 8 84 people were killed (62 men, 16 women and six children) and 76 people were injured (47 men, 23 women and two boys). 9 The term “VAR” is used by gangs to refer to positions established by them on elevated points, such as school rooftops, in order to monitor the women and ten boys) were killed or injured 10 by the 400 Mawozo, Boston, Canaan, Chen Mechan, Simon Pelé, Pierre VI and Terre Noire gangs in this context. Some of the victims, accused of robbing residences or warehouses without the “permission” of the gang leaders, or after having personal disputes with other members of these criminal groups, were taken to gang strongholds, where they were subjected to “trials”, before being “sentenced” to death and executed. Several families of police officers living in the Sarthe area (Cité Soleil) were also targeted. On 11 November, the Canaan, Chen Mechan and Terre Noire gangs attacked their residences, shooting and injuring at least 30 people, including seven children. During the same incident, gang members set fire to seven homes belonging to police officers. Communes of Carrefour and Gressier Unlike the communes of Cité Soleil, Croix-des-Bouquets and Tabarre, where gang control has been established for several years, in Carrefour, Gressier and Léogâne, the intensification of gang violence appears to be linked to their more recent territorial expansion, which began at the start of 2024. In this regard, the 103 Zombies and Ti Bois gangs, operating in these communes, indiscriminately shot at members of the population, and “judged” and executed those refusing to submit to their rules. They also confronted self-defense groups. During the fourth quarter, at least 163 members of the population were movements of the population in rival neighborhoods and target them with sniper fire. 10 76 people were killed (56 men, 12 women and eight children) and 12 others were injured (8 men, 2 women and 2 children). Page 7 of 17 killed or injured 11 by gangs in the neighborhoods of Fontamara, La Colline, Mariani, Rivière Froide and Thor. One of the most serious incidents documented by the Human Rights Service took place in the “Ka Miyay” neighborhood (Carrefour), on 29 November. During the night, the 103 Zombies and Ti Bois gangs attacked the residences of relatives of the self-defense group from the neighboring locality of Pedro (Léogâne), killing at least 50 people. Some victims were executed in the street, in front of their homes, while others were killed inside their residences. Pétion Ville The commune of Pétion-Ville remained a strategic target for the gangs due to the presence of commercial and residential areas, as well as numerous banks. In November, the Kraze Baryè gang carried out at least four attacks on the neighborhoods of Cargo, Pernier and Vivy Mitchell. They fired on homes, killing and injuring at least 21 people 12 . They also ransacked and set fire to 13 homes, particularly targeting the residences of well-known individuals in these areas, such as doctors and journalists. On 18 November, during another attempt to infiltrate neighborhoods in Pétion-Ville, a truck carrying members of several gangs was intercepted by the police. These members then tried to flee but were pursued by the population, accompanied by police officers, and were lynched to death (see section “Bwa Kalé and self-defense groups”). 11 135 people were killed (89 men, 26 women and 20 children) and 28 were injured (17 men, seven women and four children). Communes on the outskirts of the capital Arcahaie, Cabaret, Ganthier and Léogâne The communes of Arcahaie, Cabaret and Léogâne, located on the northern and southern outskirts of the capital, experienced significant tensions during the quarter due to repeated gang attacks attempting to expand their territorial control and increase their criminal sources of revenue. In the northern outskirts of the capital, the gangs targeted control of the roads leading to the Artibonite department in order to extort public transportation vehicles and cargo trucks, as well as to facilitate the illegal trafficking in which they are involved. For example, between October and December, the gangs of Canaan and Village de Dieu launched at least five attacks in the town centers of Cabaret and Arcahaie, resulting in the deaths and injuries of at least 38 people. In the southern outskirts of the capital, the 103 Zombies and Ti Bois gangs attempted incursions into the commune of Léogâne to establish cells. Their attempts were repelled by the police and self-defense groups. The coastal area of “Ça Ira”, a locality at the northern entrance of Léogâne offering a small disembarkation area for fishermen, as well as the Pedro neighborhood, located in the mountainous part of the same commune, were particularly targeted by these incursions. 12 16 people were killed (eight men, seven women and one child) and 5 others were injured (three men and two women). Page 8 of 17 Map 1: Localities in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince and other areas of the West Department affected by gang-related violence Artibonite department The southern communes of the Artibonite department continued to suffer violence and abuses involving gangs and self-defense groups. 13 100 people killed (87 men, ten women and three children) and 16 others injured (13 men and three women). 14 International Organization for Migration, “Haiti - Emergency Tracking 49 - Displacements following armed attacks in the commune of Saint Marc (3-4 October, 2024)”, 4 October, available at Haïti — Suivi des Urgences 49 — Déplacements suite aux attaques armées dans la commune de Saint Marc (03 - 04 octobre 2024) On the night of 3 October, the Gran Grif gang launched an extremely violent attack on Pont Sondé (Saint-Marc), leaving at least 116 victims 13 . Upon arriving in Pont Sondé at 3 a.m., gang members first indiscriminately fired at residences, then entered some of them to carry out executions. Woken by the gunshots and aware of the gang’s modus operandi, several dozen men, women and children rushed into the streets to escape the violence. It was then that gang members shot them down. This attack also forced more than 6,270 people to flee the commune 14 . In a video posted on 8 October, the leader of the Gran Grif gang, Luckson Élan 15 , claimed responsibility for the attack and justified it as a response to the support the residents had shown for the self-defense groups. This attack marked a turning point in the dynamics of violence in several communes of the Artibonite, particularly in Saint-Marc and Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite, by opening a cycle of reprisals between the Gran Grif gang, and self-defense groups and unorganized members of the population. For example, on 9 and 10 December, the Chandelle self-defense group killed at least 39 people by gunfire and machetes, accusing them of being complicit with the Gran Grif gang, in the areas of Bois Laville and Passe Barque (Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite). In retaliation, the following day, members of the gang invaded downtown Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite and killed at least 70 people 16 . Twenty others were abducted from their homes, and around twenty residences were set on fire. In total, between 4 October, the day after the attack on Pont Sondé, and 31 December, at least 256 people 15 In September 2024, Luckson Élan was sanctioned by the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) as the leader of the Gran Grif gang, as well as due to his involvement in activities threatening peace, security and stability in Haiti. 16 40 men, 20 women and ten children. Page 9 of 17 were killed and injured in the communes of Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite, Marchand Dessalines, Saint Marc and L’Estère. The northern part of the Artibonite department was particularly affected by kidnappings, carried out by the Kokorat San Ras gang. At least 172 people were abducted while traveling in private or public vehicles on the roads of the commune of L’Estère. Map 2: Localities in the lower Artibonite department affected by gang-related violence Other regions During the quarter, no casualties due to gang violence were documented in other regions of the country. However, in the Central and North departments, growing tensions were observed due to an increase in criminal acts, such as armed robberies and truck hijackings, 17 211 men, 45 women and 12 children. attributed to individuals who allegedly escaped from the Port-au- Prince and Croix-des-Bouquets prisons in March 2024. These individuals are believed to have either joined already established gangs, particularly in Cap Haitian, or formed new criminal groups. In contrast, at least 22 suspected members of these gangs were killed or injured during police operations or acts of lynching carried out by members of the population in the localities of Mirebalais and Saut d’Eau (Central department), Cap Haitian, Borgne and Pilate (North department) and Port-de-Paix (North-West department). 1.2. Dynamics of violence linked to the “Bwa Kalé” movement, and self-defense groups, and their impact on human rights The phenomenon of “popular justice” led by unorganized groups of the population, commonly known as “Bwa Kalé”, as well as the violence perpetrated by self-defense groups, became a significant source of human rights abuses during the fourth quarter. At least 268 people 17 were killed in this context, representing an increase of nearly 120 percent compared to the previous quarter. In total, the number of people killed in such circumstances has reached 596 since January 2024 18 . This phenomenon particularly affected the metropolitan area of Port- au-Prince (with 53 percent of the cases), especially the commune of Port-au-Prince, followed by Pétion-Ville, Delmas and Carrefour. The Artibonite department recorded 42 percent of the cases, with the most affected commune being Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite. Peaks of “popular justice” occurred after large-scale attacks carried out by gangs. For example, on 18 November alone, after several repeated attacks against the Bourdon and Pétion-Ville areas, at least 18 516 men, 62 women and 18 children. Page 10 of 17 77 suspected gang members, including two 13-year-old children, were lynched by members of the population, armed with sticks, machetes and firearms, in the neighborhoods of Canapé Vert, Christ Roi, Delmas 48, Delmas 95, Laboule, Pèlerin, Morne Hercule and Poste Marchand. During these incidents, other individuals, not affiliated with the gangs but unknown in these neighborhoods, were also captured and lynched. In the Artibonite department, particularly in the localities of Bois Laville, Passe-Barque and downtown Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite, killings committed by self-defense groups and members of the population against suspected members of the Gran Grif gang significantly increased. During the month of December alone, more than 104 individuals, including suspected gang members and their family members, among them eight girls, were killed by self-defense groups. Eleven other cases of lynching, involving members of the population, against suspected gang members or individuals believed to have committed crimes were documented in Anse-à-Pitre, Borne, Cap Haitian, Lascahobas, Milot, Mirebalais, Ouanaminthe, Pilate and Port- de-Paix. 1.3. Dynamics of violence related to police operations and excessive use of force The number of people killed and injured during law enforcement operations against gangs remained extremely high. At least 771 people 19 556 people killed (490 men, 57 women and nine children) and 215 injured (152 men, 48 women and 15 children). 20 Médecins Sans Frontières, “Haiti: MSF forced to suspend its activities in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince due to violence and threats from the police forces”, 20 November 2024, available at were killed or injured 19 in these circumstances during this quarter, representing a 15 percent increase compared to the previous quarter. More than 62 percent of those killed and injured would be affiliated with gangs. However, 38 percent of the victims was affected while not involved in acts of violence. These individuals were often struck by stray bullets in the streets or while inside their homes. The information gathered indicates a disproportionate use of lethal force and a lack of precautionary measures to protect the population during police operations. In particular, some police units were reported to have fired indiscriminately during operations from inside their armored vehicles. Furthermore, some law enforcement officers continued to carry out summary executions of suspected gang members who, at the time of the events, were neither armed nor involved in acts of violence. Some of these victims were killed while in an ambulance or at the hospital. For example, on 11 November two gunshot wound victims, transported in an ambulance of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), were executed near the La Paix Hospital in Port-au-Prince. In the following week, police repeatedly intercepted MSF vehicles and made direct threats against its staff, including death threats and threats of sexual violence 20 . In this context, MSF suspended its activities on 20 November for 22 days. Executions also targeted street vendors who were unable to provide an identity document or justify their presence in certain areas at the time of their arrest. https://www.msf.fr/communiques-presse/haiti-msf-contrainte-de-suspendre- ses-activites-dans-la-zone-metropolitaine-de-port-au-prince-suite-a-des- violences-et Page 11 of 17 Between 1 October and 31 December, at least 80 people, including a young boy and a young girl, were executed by members of the police, bringing the total number to at least 281 people since the beginning of the year 21 . 1.4. Public Prosecutor of Miragoâne The HRS documented six cases of extrajudicial executions carried out by the Public Prosecutor of Miragoâne, Jean Ernest Muscadin, against individuals accused of being gang members or of committing criminal offenses. Since the beginning of 2022, this Public Prosecutor would have executed at least 42 people 22 . 1.5. Kidnappings After a significant decrease in kidnappings in July and August, they increased again between October and December 2024. During the fourth quarter, at least 431 people were abducted for ransom, bringing the total number of kidnappings in 2024 to 1,494. Nearly 93 percent of the documented cases during the quarter occurred in the Artibonite department. In this department, more than half of the victims (53 percent) were abducted while traveling in public transport vehicles on the main roads leading to the towns of La Croix Périsse and L’Estère (upper Artibonite). In these areas, the kidnappings were carried out by the Kokorat San Ras gang, whose members did not hesitate to shoot at the vehicles to force them to stop and abduct their victims. Other kidnapping victims in the Artibonite department were attacked while at their homes or working on their farmland. Most of these 21 251 men, 22 women and eight children. 22 On 8 October 2024, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions, along with the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, sent a communication to the Haitian government regarding Mr. Muscadin’s involvement in extrajudicial and summary abductions were carried out by the Gran Grif gang in the commune of Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite. However, one of the most notable cases in terms of the number of victims kidnapped was documented on the coast of the Arcadins, in the commune of Montrouis. The incident occurred on 13 December, when 58 people aboard a boat were abducted by members of the Village de Dieu and Canaan gangs. The sailboat had just departed from the island of La Gonâve and was heading toward Arcahaie. In the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, the number of kidnappings remained relatively low. Thirty cases were documented during the quarter, although the phenomenon remained underreported, as families often do not report them or file complaints. Most of the victims were abducted while traveling in private cars or were near their workplaces. Among the victims were seven children (five boys and two girls), who were abducted either at home or on their way to school. 1.6. Sexual violence Women and girls living in areas under gang control continued to face a high risk of rape and sexual exploitation, sometimes for extended periods of several months. Despite the underreporting of sexual violence due to fear of retaliation, social stigma, and a lack of trust in police and judicial institutions, the Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Arrangements (MARA), established in Haiti in August 2024, recorded 69 incidents involving 94 survivors of sexual violence (59 women and 35 girls) during the last quarter of 2024. Eighty-six percent of the incidents were related executions. They urged the government to take all necessary measures to put an immediate end to these actions. Communication ALHTI2/2024 2/2024, available at https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommu nicationFile?gId=29378 Page 12 of 17 to cases of rape or gang rape, while the others involved various forms of sexual violence. Victims were often assaulted in the street or at their homes by armed men. Some victims were also forced to engage in non-consensual sexual relations with gang members, a coercion made easier by the control the gangs exert over the neighborhoods under their influence. In one of the cases documented, a mother and her 15-year-old daughter, were kidnapped by the gang Les Argentins in December and subjected to repeated rapes and sexual exploitation for a month. After their release, the daughter was killed by a member of Les Argentins. Most of the documented sexual assaults during the quarter were attributed to members of the gang Les Argentins, while the areas most affected were Solino, followed by Croix-des-Bouquets, Cité Soleil, Martissant and Delmas. 1.7. Impact of violence on children During this quarter, gang attacks, police operations, as well as abuses by self-defense groups and non-organized members of the population, led to the deaths of at least 75 children and injured at least 22 others, representing a 70 percent increase compared to the previous quarter. This brings the total number of children killed to 184 and injured to 105 since January 2024 23 . During the fourth quarter, at least 18 24 children were kidnapped for ransom by gangs. Several service providers and United Nations agencies, particularly UNICEF, have raised the alarm about the increase in child trafficking 23 123 boys and 61 girls killed, and 73 boys and 32 girls injured. 24 Ten boys and eight girls. 25 UNICEF, “Haïti : le nombre d'enfants recrutés par des groupes armés a grimpé de 70 % en un an”, November 2024, available at https://www.unicef.fr/article/haiti-le-nombre-denfants-recrutes-par-des- groupes-armes-a-grimpe-de-70-en-un-an/ and their use by gangs 25 . Within the gangs, children have continued to participate in criminal activities such as kidnappings, thefts and confrontations with law enforcement. This exposes them to the risk of being killed or seriously injured, either by gang members, the police, self-defense groups and members of the population. During the last quarter, at least 15 boys and 12 girls, some as young as 12 years old, were killed in such circumstances. In addition to physical harm, the humanitarian crisis has led to massive displacement, further endangering the well-being of children. As of 31 December, more than 700,000 Haitians were displaced, more than half of whom were children 26 . According to the World Food Programme (WFP), 82 percent of these displaced people eat only one meal a day or go entire days without food 27 . Moreover, the restriction of freedom of movement caused by gang violence has severely disrupted access to education and healthcare for thousands of children. 1.8. Impact of gang violence on economic, social and cultural rights Gang violence continued to affect access to essential services such as health and education and hindered economic activities and the freedom of movement of populations. Between 1 October and 31 December, at least 580 residences and other public or private buildings, including four schools, two hospitals, and two facilities managed by humanitarian organizations, were ransacked, vandalized or set on fire by gangs. The Bernard Mevs Hospital, which was the only trauma center in the country, was robbed 26 International Organization for Migration (IOM), “Haiti | Displacement Tracking Matrix - Round 8”, September 2024, available at https://dtm.iom.int/haiti 27 World Food Programme (WFP), “The Impact of the Mid-November Security Situation on Household Food Security”, November 2024, available at https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000163432/download/ Page 13 of 17 and set on fire during the night of 16 to 17 December. The fire led to the destruction of most of the hospital’s equipment and rooms, including the laboratory, operating rooms and pediatrics. Similarly, to prevent the reopening of the State University of Haiti Hospital, the country’s largest public hospital, the Village de Dieu gang stormed the premises during the reopening ceremony on December 24, shooting at the people present. Ten men were killed or injured, including eight journalists covering the event 28 . The hospital had been closed since February 2024 due to gang violence. On 11 November, a few days after the ousting of Prime Minister Garry Conille and the members of his government, the gangs of the Viv Ansamn coalition launched several attacks across the capital. In this context, gunfire around Port-au-Prince International Airport hit three commercial planes belonging to U.S. companies. These incidents led to the closure of the airport for the second time this year, as well as the suspension of passenger flights to Port-au-Prince, further worsening the humanitarian crisis. II. Justice system During the quarter, the judicial system continued to face numerous structural obstacles. However, several positive measures were taken to improve the administration of justice and fight impunity. 28 Two journalists and one police officer were killed, and seven other journalists were injured. 29 The new members of the CSPJ are Wando Saint Vilier (representative of the Port-au-Prince First Instance Court), Barthélémy Altenor (new vice- president of the CSPJ and representative of the Court of Cassation), Noé Pierre Massillon (representative of the Court of Appeal), Lionel Constant (representative of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security), Hérode Basile (representative of the Peace Courts), and Jude Timoge (representative of the civil society sector). As of 31 December, Roosevelte Louis, bâtonnier of the 2.1. Functioning of the judiciary Several appointments to key positions took place within the judicial system. For example, in October, five of the six members of the fifth judiciary of the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ) were installed 29 . No women were appointed to the CSPJ. As part of the government reshuffle on 11 November, Patrick Pélissier 30 was appointed the new Minister of Justice and Public Security. On 12 December, magistrate Jean Wilner Morin was appointed the new interim Ombudsman in charge of the national Human Rights Institution 31 . Additionally, 59 new peace judges and 35 public prosecutors, who had recently completed their training at the School of the Judiciary, received their certificates during a ceremony held on 6 December. This measure is expected to help address the shortage of magistrates within the judicial system. 2.2. Massacres and other serious violations The massacres committed in Pont Sondé on 3 October 2024, and at Wharf Jérémie between 6 and 11 December 2024, resulted in over 300 deaths among the population. A few days after the massacres, complaints were filed by family members of the victims with the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ). As of 31 December, an investigation was ongoing. However, despite the fact that, on 12 December, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé publicly instructed the Minister of Justice and Public Security to take all necessary actions Bar of Les Cayes and designated to hold the position of representative of the Federation of Haitian Bar Associations, was still to be confirmed due to disputes over the legitimacy of his election process. 30 Coming from civil society, he was until then the executive director of the Haitian Institute of Human Rights (IHDH) 31 Former investigative judge, Wilner Morin succeeded Renand Hédouville, who had held the position since 2017. Page 14 of 17 against those responsible for these two attacks, no reaction from this ministry had been observed by the end of the period under review. Similarly, no notable judicial progress had been recorded in relation to the massacres of Grand Ravine (2017), La Saline (2018) and Bel Air (2019), or the murders of Monferrier Dorval (2020) and President Jovenel Moïse (2021). It should be noted, however, that in the case of the La Saline massacre (2018), in July 2024 two defendants appealed to the Court of Appeal of Port-au-Prince the decision of the investigating judge, Mr. Morin, who, shortly before, had concluded his investigation and charged 30 individuals, including political figures and gang members, including Jimmy Chérizier. In the context of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, on 23 October the Public Prosecutor at the Court of Appeal of Port-au-Prince issued his indictment regarding the appeal filed by three defendants against the order of referral by investigating judge Walter Wesser Voltaire. This order, dated 29 January 2024, had charged 75 people with various charges related to the assassination of the President. In his conclusions, the Public Prosecutor requested the Court to reject the appeal filed by the vast majority of the defendants, including the former police chief and several foreign nationals, due to their failure to provide supporting evidence for their appeal. On the other hand, he requested the Court to favorably consider the appeal filed by four defendants. The Public Prosecutor also requested that the contested order be reviewed by ordering additional information for each case, in accordance with the reasons outlined in the document. As of 31 December, the hearings in this case were continuing before the Court of Appeal. Efforts continued to be made in the fight against the trafficking of weapons and ammunition. On 30 October, a police officer from the Security Unit of the General Directorate of the National Police of Haiti (USDGPNH) was arrested for his alleged ties to the Krache Dife gang. At the time of his arrest, which took place in Pétion-Ville, the suspect was transporting 2,695 cartridges in his vehicle. 2.3. Fight against corruption Several measures were taken to combat corruption. The most significant case involved three members of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT). According to an investigation report from the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) dated 2 October, these three members allegedly demanded 100 million gourdes (over 750,000 USD) in exchange for renewing Raoul Pascal Pierre Louis as the chairman of the board of the National Credit Bank (BNC). Judge Benjamin Felismé, in charge of the case, summoned the three CPT members. However, none of the accused appeared, citing their functional immunity. Other judicial measures were taken to fight corruption and the illegal appropriation of public funds at the local government level. On 19 November, the criminal court of the town of Hinche (Central Department) sentenced Mr Roudel Ducherne, an inspector at the General Directorate of Taxes in Hinche, to four years in prison for embezzling public funds. This ruling follows an investigation conducted by the ULCC. In December, an arrest warrant was issued against the departmental director of the South-East at the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications (MTPTC) for using the ministry’s equipment for personal purposes. 2.4. Conditions of detention in Haitian prisons As of 31 December 2024, 7,496 people were detained in Haitian prisons (7,550 in September 2024). Eighty-three percent of the detainees were in pretrial detention (the same percentage as in the third quarter of 2024). The cell occupancy rate was 303 percent. Page 15 of 17 Detention conditions in Haiti remained inhumane and degrading due to overcrowding and a lack of food, drinking water and adequate medical care. During the fourth quarter of 2024, 21 detainees died (186 since January 2024), most due to a lack of care, unsanitary conditions, insufficient food, and lack of access to drinking water. Two detainees also died shortly after being released from the Les Cayes prison for reasons deemed humanitarian by the authorities, due to the health condition of the two men. 2.5. International sanctions On 18 October, the United Nations Security Council, through resolution 2752 (2024), extended the sanctions regime for one year, which includes an arms embargo, asset freezes and travel bans against individuals involved in acts threatening peace and security in Haiti. As of 31 December, seven individuals 32 had been sanctioned under this regime. At the same time, 32 people were subject to bilateral sanctions imposed by several countries. 2.6. Investigations into human rights violations committed by police officers The HRS continued to support the General Inspectorate of the National Police of Haiti (IGPNH). Between 1 October and 31 December, the IGPNH opened 32 investigations concerning 40 police officers, of which four were alleged to be involved in human rights violations. During the same period, nine investigations were closed, 25 administrative measures were taken, and one case was referred to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution. 32 The seven individuals sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council under resolution 2752 (2024) are Jimmy Chérizier, leader of the Delmas 6 gang; Johnson André, leader of the Village de Dieu gang; Renel Destina, leader of the Grand Ravine gang; Wilson Joseph, leader of the 400 Mawozo gang; Innocent Vitelhomme, leader of the Krazè Baryè gang; Luckon Élan, On 13 September, the former police commissioner of Tabarre and three other individuals were arrested by the Judicial Police Directorate for their alleged involvement in an extrajudicial execution that took place on 6 September, in the area of the Petits frères et sœurs hospital (Tabarre). However, on 27 November, the investigating judge handling the case temporarily released them, citing the inconsistency of the evidence presented. In the last quarter, the HRS forwarded to the IGPNH 96 incidents of extrajudicial executions resulting in the deaths of 147 people and injuries to 54 others 33 . As of 31 December, no investigations had been opened into these cases. It is important to note that since the beginning of the vetting process in June 2023, no police officer has been subjected to a thorough background check by the IGPNH. The low level of activity of this oversight body contrasts with the growing number of cases involving police officers in crimes and human rights violations. III. Support to national institutions and civil society In the last quarter of 2024, the HRS continued its technical support to the authorities and strengthened the capacities of civil society organizations in several key areas, including the fight against corruption, community-based peaceful conflict resolution, and promoting a broader culture of peace. leader of the Gran Grif gang; and Prophane Victor, former member of the Haitian Parliament. 33 These incidents were documented throughout 2024 but were referred to the IGPNH in October and November. Page 16 of 17 3.1. Support to public authorities and civil society organizations working in the field of protection In early November, with the financial support of the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund and in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC), the HRS launched the “Clubs of Peace and Integrity” initiative in 18 secondary schools across the country, three of which are located in the capital. These clubs, implemented by the partners Combite pour la Paix et le Developpement (CPD) and Governance Group (GG), strengthened the capacities of over 500 young people on issues related to civic values, human rights, peaceful conflict resolution and protection. According to experiences shared by some of them, these youth have started to replicate the lessons within their communities. From 24 October to 24 November, in collaboration with UNDP and the NGO Tamise, a national awareness campaign on human rights, social cohesion, tolerance and mutual respect was launched. This campaign was based on videos created by Haitian artists and influencers. Furthermore, on 17 and 18 December, the HRS supported the Institut Haïtien des Droits de l’Homme (IHDH) in organizing a forum on the electoral process to raise awareness among national stakeholders about the importance of ensuring human rights during the upcoming elections. This forum brought together 26 civil society organizations, political parties and public institutions. On 19 December, the IHDH, in partnership with the Regroupement National des Étudiants Haïtiens (RENAEH), also launched the ·Virtual Forum of Youth Against Corruption. This forum brought together over 50 participants, including representatives from the government and civil society, to explore and discuss the impact of corruption on the daily lives of Haitians. Discussion forum on elections and human rights, 17-18 December 2024 Page 17 of 17 From 4 to 7 December, on the occasion of the 76 th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the HRS supported five national partners. Their initiatives targeted vulnerable populations, particularly displaced persons, people with disabilities and orphaned children. For its part, the Interministerial Committee on Human Rights (CIDP) organized a discussion with students on the right to education and women’s rights. 3.2. OHCHR support to the MSS on human rights compliance The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) continued its advisory activities with the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission. Between October and December, technical support was provided to the MSS to establish a mechanism for investigating human rights violations, including potential incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse, committed by its personnel. This mechanism defined the process for gathering information, timelines, and the role of the actors involved in the investigation process. On 3 and 5 December, OHCHR organized two awareness sessions with the Bahamas contingent of the MSS. The topics covered included respect for human rights during operations, notably the use of force, prevention of sexual abuse (PEAS), management of children associated with gangs, and humanitarian principles. UNICEF, OCHA, and the coordinator for Protection against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse from the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office also contributed to these sessions. Working session with the MSS Séance de travail avec la MMAS Séance de travail avec la MMAS Celebration of International Human Rights Day at Famille Kizito, 7 December 2024.