(2026-03) Annual Report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Situation of Human Rights in Haiti
Summary — This report details the alarming human rights situation in Haiti, marked by escalating gang violence, which has spread beyond Port-au-Prince. It documents widespread killings, sexual violence, and displacement, severely impacting essential services and democratic processes. The report calls for strengthened security, justice, and community-based protection, with international support.
Key Findings
- Gang violence in Haiti remains at alarming levels, expanding beyond Port-au-Prince to Artibonite and Centre, causing widespread human rights abuses.
- Between March 2025 and January 2026, at least 5,519 people were killed and 2,608 injured, with 61% of casualties occurring during security operations, raising concerns about proportionality.
- Sexual violence, particularly gang rape, is rampant, with 1,495 incidents documented, and child trafficking by gangs is a growing concern.
- Impunity for human rights violations and corruption persists within the justice system, despite some efforts to establish specialized units and investigate high-profile cases.
- International support, including the Multinational Security Support Mission and proposed Gang Suppression Force, is crucial but faces challenges in effectively curbing violence and ensuring human rights compliance.
Full Description
Haiti continues to face a severe human rights crisis driven by alarming levels of gang violence that have expanded from the capital to other departments like Artibonite and Centre. The report documents extensive human rights abuses, including thousands of killings and injuries, widespread sexual violence, and the trafficking of children. This violence has led to massive internal displacement and severely disrupted access to education, healthcare, and food, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. Efforts by Haitian security forces, sometimes supported by a private military company, have yielded mixed results, with concerns raised about the proportionality of force used. The report also highlights persistent challenges in strengthening democratic institutions, combating impunity and corruption within the justice system, and ensuring accountability for human rights violations. It emphasizes the critical need for international support, robust security measures, and comprehensive prevention and protection strategies, particularly for vulnerable populations.