PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – The human rights situation in Haiti remained very alarming during the fourth quarter of 2024.
Between 1 October and 31 December 2024, according to data from BINUH, at least 1,732 people were killed and 411 were injured due to gang violence, self-defense groups and police operations. This brings the total number of people killed to 5,626 and the number of injured to 2,213 in 2024. At the same time, at least 431 people were kidnapped for ransom by gangs in the last quarter of the year, bringing the total number of kidnappings to 1,494 in 2024.
The fourth quarter was marked by three massacres that resulted in over 300 deaths in the Wharf Jérémie neighborhood (Port-au-Prince), as well as in Pont Sondé (Saint-Marc) and Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite, in the Artibonite department. This period also saw the consolidation of the phenomenon of “popular justice” as a significant source of human rights abuses. At least 268 people were lynched or executed under these circumstances during the quarter, bringing the total to more than 596 in 2024.
The BINUH report expresses concern that gang members have continued to rape and sexually exploit women and young girls, as well as recruit young boys to strengthen their control over local populations. These gangs have also maintained their strategy of restricting the movement of people and vehicles on major roads leading to and from the capital. Additionally, they have carried out attacks and ransacked public and private buildings, including schools and hospitals.
The report also highlights the high number of people killed during law enforcement operations against gangs, with at least 771 people killed or injured in the fourth quarter. Among them, 38 percent were residents who were often hit by stray bullets in the streets or inside their homes.
In addition, there were reports of summary executions allegedly committed by police officers. At least 80 people were killed under these circumstances in the fourth quarter, bringing the total to 281 for the year 2024. Among the victims were individuals accused of gang affiliation, as well as motorcycle taxi drivers and street vendors who were unable to provide identification or justify their presence in certain neighborhoods at the time of their arrest.
The report also highlights that prison conditions remain degrading and inhumane. These conditions led to the deaths of 21 detainees during the reporting period, bringing the total to 186 in 2024.
Despite widespread human rights abuses and violations, the authorities have taken only minimal steps to hold perpetrators accountable. Some judicial proceedings have been initiated to address corruption. However, following the massacres in Wharf Jérémie and Pont Sondé, while police investigations were launched, no judicial action had been recorded as of December 31, 2024. Similarly, regarding summary executions allegedly involving police officers, the General Inspectorate of the Police has taken almost no measures to identify those responsible, citing security concerns. In this regard, the report recalls that since the start of the police vetting process in June 2023, no officer has undergone a thorough background investigation.
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