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Haiti human rights group sounds alarm over 40 abductions and 75 murders in 2 months – JURIST

In a press release issued Friday, Haiti-based human rights group National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH) raised alarm over the increasing amount of attacks, assassinations and kidnappings for ransom in the country, particularly in the country’s West Department.In their statement, the RNDDH noted that since May 1, “at least forty (40) people were abducted, seventy-five (75) people were murdered, and several others escaped assassination attempts.” According to the group, many of these attacks and killings are gang-related.There has also been an increase in kidnappings, including kidnappings for ransom. On May 24, a public transport vehicle with 20 passengers was hijacked, and during June there were a number of high-profile kidnappings, including those of a prominent journalist, a port authority worker and a doctor, among others.There were multiple coordinated attacks also reported in this time period, one resulting in the death of a schoolboy.The report comes in the wake of the UN Security Council meeting Friday, the purpose of which was to discuss the country’s worsening violence.When visiting Haiti last week, UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the situation as a “living nightmare” at a press encounter.  He explained that intervention by UN peacekeepers and a non-UN multinational force may be necessary to combat the issue of armed gangs and a police force in need of “financing, training, and equipment.” He stressed:[T]he people of Haiti need action to tackle urgent security needs. I appeal to members of the Security Council and to all relevant potential contributing countries to act now to create the conditions for the deployment of a multinational force to assist the Haitian National Police.Similarly, in May, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged for a humanitarian response in Haiti to combat the country’s “never-ending cycle of violence.”The RNDDH concluded their report by vehemently condemning what they described as inaction by the police. They equally condemned Kraze Baryè gang leader Vitelhomme Innocent, who is wanted by the FBI on hostage-taking charges, for his role in the violence. The RNDDH recommended that “state authorities do everything in their power to put an end to the protection of the armed bandit Vitelhomme INNOCENT and to dismantle all armed gangs in the country, to restore order and security in the country.”