2023-09-28 04:06:01
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Gang violence in Haiti is intensifying and spreading from the capital, Port-au-Prince, through the center of the country to two other large cities, Gonaives and Cap-Haïtien, with a sharp increase in homicides, kidnappings and violations in recent months, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres said in a report released Wednesday.
Guterres said in the report addressed to the Security Council that 2,728 intentional homicides were recorded from October 2022 to June 2023, of which 247 corresponded to women, 58 to boys and 20 to girls.
The steady increase in homicides is attributed to the emergence in April of a self-defense movement known as “Bwa Kale” in the capital, which has taken on the task of going after the gangs, he added. Guterres also reported an increase in kidnappings for ransom in that period, with 1,472 cases reported, although he said the real number is likely higher because families often do not report missing relatives to authorities for fear of safety. of the victims.
Gang members continue to use sexual violence, such as gang rapes, “to terrorize populations under the control of rival gangs,” said Guterres, noting that 452 cases of rape were reported during the October-June period.
The Secretary-General’s report—on progress on key goals of the Security Council resolution passed last October that imposed sanctions on a gang leader—was issued as Council members negotiated a new resolution. the UN that would authorize a non-UN multinational force led by Kenya to combat criminal groups.
Diplomats said the resolution is expected to be put to a vote this week or next.
Haiti has been mired in political instability since the still-unsolved assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, who had faced protests calling for his resignation over corruption allegations and claims that his five-year term had expired.
The gangs have increased their power since Moïse’s assassination, and according to Guterres they now control or have influence in 80% of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. Furthermore, its activities have expanded especially towards the Artibonite Valley and the regions of the cities of Gonaives, in the northwest, and Cap Haitien, in the north.
He stated that the indiscriminate attacks have displaced almost 130,000 people.
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