Haiti’s Crisis Deepens, UN Expert Warns of Nation’s Survival at Risk
After his fourth visit to assess Haiti’s deteriorating conditions, Mr. O’Neill addressed journalists at the UN Headquarters in New York, describing a country consumed by pain and despair.
“I hate to sound like a broken record,” he stated, “but each time I return, the situation is worse.”
Despite ongoing efforts by the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, the risk of the capital falling entirely under gang control continues to grow.
“These violent criminal groups are expanding beyond Port-au-Prince,” he warned. “They kill, rape, terrorize, and set homes ablaze while infiltrating all aspects of society.”
He added, “All of this happens with complete impunity and, as many sources report, sometimes with the backing of powerful figures.”
—
Firsthand Accounts of Suffering
Mr. O’Neill shared harrowing testimonies from Haitians trapped in the chaos.
One survivor, a 16-year-old girl, recounted her nightmare. “Seven masked gunmen stormed my home in Kenscoff, raped and beat me and my stepmother, then killed my father in front of me,” she told the UN-appointed human rights expert.
“The pain is unbearable. Sometimes I forget, but then it comes rushing back. At night, I scream,” she said.
Despite her trauma, she still holds onto her passion for dance and dreams of becoming a psychologist to help young survivors. However, Mr. O’Neill emphasized that resources to support victims remain severely lacking.
Another testimony came from ‘L’, a 12-year-old boy who was forcibly recruited by gangs and is now being held at the Centre de Rééducation des Mineurs in Port-au-Prince on charges of gang association.
“I don’t want any more criminals in my country. One day, I’ll be a pilot,” he told Mr. O’Neill. “I just want to go back to the streets.”
—
A Nation Uprooted by Violence
The surge in violence has displaced over a million people, with thousands more forced to flee their homes in recent weeks.
“They have nowhere to go,” Mr. O’Neill explained.
Tensions between communities are rising due to the dire situation. In one disturbing incident, students threw stones at internally displaced people (IDPs) seeking refuge in their school. This, he said, is “the desperate turning against the more desperate.”
Meanwhile, in overcrowded makeshift camps, hunger and sexual violence are rampant, pushing many to the brink of survival.
—
Urgent Call for Action
“Unity and solidarity must guide political decisions at all levels, in the best interest of the people,” Mr. O’Neill urged.
He stressed that the Haitian government must tackle impunity and corruption, two of the biggest obstacles in dismantling gang networks.
Additionally, he underscored the importance of ensuring that responses to gang violence adhere to international human rights laws, particularly the right to life.
“There is no justification for violating this fundamental right, no matter the circumstances.”
Concluding his address, he issued a stark warning: “There is not a single day to lose. There is no alternative—Haiti’s survival is at stake.”
Leave a Reply