Over 5,600 Killed in Haiti’s 2024 Gang Violence: UN Report Highlights Alarming Crisis
The United Nations has reported a devastating surge in violence in Haiti, with over 5,600 people killed in 2024, according to figures verified by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). In addition to this grim death toll, 2,212 individuals were injured, and 1,494 were kidnapped in what has been described as a harrowing year for the Caribbean nation.
“These figures alone cannot convey the sheer horrors unfolding in Haiti, but they underscore the relentless violence people are enduring,” said Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
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Shocking Massacre in Cité Soleil
Among the most appalling episodes of violence was a December massacre orchestrated by the leader of the Wharf Jérémie gang in the Cité Soleil neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. At least 207 people lost their lives in this tragic event.
Reports indicate that many victims were elderly individuals accused of causing the gang leader’s son’s death through alleged voodoo practices. In a grim effort to cover up the crime, gang members reportedly mutilated and burned most of the bodies, while others were thrown into the sea.
In addition to targeted killings, OHCHR documented 315 lynchings of suspected gang members and their associates, sometimes reportedly facilitated by Haitian police officers. The year also saw 281 cases of summary executions allegedly perpetrated by specialized police units.
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Widespread Impunity Fuels Crisis
Impunity remains a significant driver of Haiti’s multidimensional crisis, said Volker Türk, pointing to long-standing corruption and pervasive human rights violations.
“It has long been evident that impunity, corruption, and entrenched socio-economic inequalities are perpetuating the current crisis,” stressed the High Commissioner.
He called on Haitian authorities, with the robust backing of the international community, to address the root causes of the escalating unrest. Restoring the rule of law is paramount, and the High Commissioner urged further support for the UN-backed Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti, emphasizing the need for adequate logistics and funding to enable the mission to fulfill its mandate effectively.
Additionally, the Haitian National Police must enhance its oversight mechanisms, ensuring accountability for officers implicated in human rights violations.
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Sanctions and Arms Embargo Crucial
Mr. Türk reiterated his appeal for the full enforcement of the UN Security Council’s sanctions regime and arms embargo on Haiti to curb the supply of weapons fueling gang violence.
“Weapons pouring into Haiti often end up in the hands of criminal gangs, with devastating consequences,” he warned, highlighting the toll: thousands dead, hundreds of thousands displaced, and critical infrastructure—such as schools and hospitals—destroyed or disrupted.
The High Commissioner also expressed concerns over ongoing deportations of Haitians, urging all nations to halt forced returns given the country’s acute insecurity, which makes safe and dignified repatriation impossible.
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Moving Forward
The humanitarian and security crisis in Haiti requires urgent international intervention. Concrete action must be taken to dismantle the networks enabling gang violence, restore law and order, and ensure justice for victims. As the international community rallies to assist, the focus must remain on addressing systemic inequalities and ensuring long-term stability for Haiti’s people.
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