UN concerned about escalating violence in Haiti

The UN office in Haiti expressed concern on Friday about the brutality of the growing violence by the gang “Baz Gran Grif” (roughly: Big Claw) against the population. These include murder, rape, kidnapping, extortion and vandalism in four communities about 100 kilometers north of the capital Port-au-Prince. The United Nations is alarmed by the speed with which the gang is expanding into new areas.

For years, the Caribbean state has suffered violence from criminal groups, some of whom have close ties to political actors. The situation has deteriorated so much lately that the caretaker government, in power since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, asked for help from an armed international force – but so far that has not happened. It is estimated that about 200 criminal groups operate in Haiti, controlling about 60 percent of Port-au-Prince. While most crimes so far have taken place in the capital, the wave of violence is now spreading to areas outside Port-au-Prince.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said at the end of a visit to Haiti on February 10 that the situation there is not receiving the urgent attention it deserves. The Austrian presented a report that documented 263 murders and 57 mass rapes in just one part of the massive Cité Soleil slum near Port-au-Prince in the second half of last year. People have been harassed and terrorized for months without the state being able to stop it, Turk said. “It can only be described as a living nightmare.” (SDA)

Source: Blick