Quarterly Report on the Human Rights Situation in Haiti (January-March 2025)
- Gangs expanded territorial influence and committed widespread human rights abuses, particularly in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, Artibonite, and Central departments.
- Violence by self-defense groups ('Bwa Kale') and law enforcement officials (including 65 alleged extrajudicial executions) remained a significant source of human rights violations.
- Over 1,041,229 people were displaced in Haiti by March 31, 2025, a 48% increase compared to September 2024, with significant humanitarian impact.
- Sexual violence incidents increased by 254% compared to the previous quarter, with 319 incidents involving 333 survivors recorded.
- The justice system made some progress with specialized judicial task forces for mass crimes and sexual/financial violence, but impunity remains a challenge.
The Quarterly Report on the Human Rights Situation in Haiti for January-March 2025 reveals a dire human rights landscape marked by escalating gang violence and its devastating consequences. Gangs expanded their territorial control, particularly in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, Artibonite, and Central departments, leading to 1,617 deaths and 580 injuries. The report also documents 65 alleged extrajudicial executions by law enforcement and highlights the significant role of self-defense groups, known as 'Bwa Kale,' in human rights abuses.
Displacement surged by 48% since September 2024, with over 1 million people internally displaced by March 31, 2025. Sexual violence incidents increased by 254%, with 319 cases involving 333 survivors, predominantly women and girls. The report also addresses the impact on children, prison conditions, and the slow progress in justice for massacres and arms trafficking. Despite these challenges, the establishment of specialized judicial task forces for mass crimes and financial crimes represents a step towards addressing impunity, alongside ongoing international support and sanctions.
How to cite
United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), Quarterly Report on the Human Rights Situation in Haiti (January-March 2025), https://binuh.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/quarterly_report_on_the_human_rights_situation_in_haiti_jan_-_march_2025.pdf