Haiti - Justice : BINUH very concerned about the upsurge in insecurity
The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) in a note, expresses its deep concern at the resurgence of insecurity throughout the national territory and in particular in the working-class neighborhoods of the metropolitan area, where clashes between armed gangs have recently caused significant loss of life. The population of neighborhoods controlled by armed gangs endure an intolerable level of violence : between January and June 2020, BINUH documented that at least 159 people were killed and 92 others injured, including children, as a result of the violence gang related.
BINUH recalls "these violations could constitute international crimes under human rights law and also constitute crimes under Haitian criminal law [...] Therefore, we once again encourage the Haitian authorities to prosecute alleged perpetrators of crimes, abuses or human rights violations, and to execute the judicial acts issued, including the arrest warrant issued against several gang leaders, including Jimmy Cherizier, aka 'Barbecue', targeted by a warrant issued in February 2019 for its alleged involvement in the Grande Ravine attacks in November 2017 and also involved in other deadly incidents, including that of La Saline in November 2018 and Bel Air in November 2019 and more recently in the Pont Rouge and Cité Soleil incidents."
BINUH reminds the Government of the importance of providing the National Police of Haiti (PNH) and the National Commission for Disarmament, Dismantling and Reintegration (CNDDR) with adequate financial and logistical means, to properly fulfill their respective missions and encourages international partners to continue their support to these key institutions for the rule of law in Haiti.
