William O'Neill, Expert on the human rights situation in Haiti who has just concluded his official visit to the country, gave a press conference yesterday Tuesday, where he said he was alarmed by the worrying situation which is expanding rapidly in other departments, notably Artibonite and the North-West.

"Murders, injuries and kidnappings are the daily prerogative of the population. Sexual violence against women and girls remains endemic and no progress regarding access to services and justice for survivors has been recorded since my last visit.

I am particularly concerned about the impact of insecurity and violence on children. The testimonies received are edifying. It is an entire generation which seems to be sacrificed by the violence and the future of a country which is threatened by the dramatic situation of its youth. I urge the authorities to give priority attention to the situation of children. Many have suffered - and continue to suffer - serious violence and violations of their rights. They are also victims of the catastrophic humanitarian situation with access to health, water, food and education severely hampered. This is particularly the case in disadvantaged neighborhoods under the control of gangs and deserted by the State. I have received numerous reports indicating that many children suffer from wasting, the deadliest form of malnutrition. More than 500,000 young people do not have access to education. Many children from these neighborhoods are recruited by gangs, due to lack of opportunities, or fear of reprisals.

The Haitian justice system remains dysfunctional and not adapted to protect children in danger or to judge minors in conflict with the law. The Children's Court is paralyzed. I visited the Port-au-Prince juvenile prison, Cermicol, and noted the alarming prison overcrowding, with an occupancy rate exceeding 350%, but also the unsanitary conditions and the lack of access to drinking water exposing children to diseases. 99% of minors detained in the prison have not been convicted, most are in prolonged preventive detention. They have been incarcerated for years for stealing a chicken, shoes or a telephone, without having seen a judge. I was nevertheless encouraged by the establishment of an intergovernmental Commission to help relieve prison congestion. We need results quickly,” said the expert.

He also says he is concerned about "the situation of internally displaced persons [...] There are at least 200,000 displaced people in Haiti. Many find themselves in inhumane living conditions, without access to basic services, surviving in makeshift camps. I have received appalling testimonies of children and elderly people who sleep on the ground, near mounds of waste and without access to drinking water. I have also heard testimonies of women and girls who are victims of repeated rape, without access to care. The State must take its responsibilities to prevent violations and abuses of human rights but also to protect its population, in particular the most vulnerable populations."

HL/ HaitiLibre