IACHR concerned over escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in Haiti

April 17, 2025

Washington, DC - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses profound concern regarding the escalating violence and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Haiti, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince. The Commission condemns the recent string of gang attacks, which have resulted in significant loss of life, mass displacement of people, and widespread human rights violations.

According to reports from the United Nations, between January and March, over 260 individuals were killed and 66 injured during gang attacks in the Kenscoff and Carrefour neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince. These assaults led to the displacement of more than 3,000 residents and the destruction of approximately 190 homes. In April, gangs stormed a prison in the city of Mirebalais, releasing more than 500 inmates as hundreds of residents fled their homes. This comes in addition to the number of 5,600 people killed as a consequence of gang violence in 2024, according to figures published by the United Nations in different reports. The Commission is particularly alarmed by accounts of severe human rights abuses, including widespread sexual violence against women and girls perpetrated by armed groups.

On April 2, 2025, thousands of Haitians took to the streets to denounce the escalating gang violence and demand effective governmental action. The demonstrations, which began peacefully, escalated into violent clashes involving gunfire near government offices, reflecting the population's frustration with the apparent inaction of the authorities. In response to the crisis, the head of Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council announced plans to deploy agents from the Brigade for the Security of Protected Areas (BSAP) to support the police. However, civil society organizations have expressed concerns regarding the effectiveness of these measures, citing concerns about the potential for human rights abuses and the need for comprehensive security sector reform.

The Commission is further worried by reports indicating that weaknesses in border controls have facilitated the influx of firearms into Haiti, exacerbating the capacity of gangs to commit violent acts. The United Nations has highlighted that underfunded and understaffed customs and police forces are ill-equipped to monitor and control the flow of weapons into the country.

In the face of the ongoing crisis's magnitude, the State has the primary responsibility to adopt effective security measures aimed at restoring public order, facilitate the free movement of people and goods, and protecting the population from gang-related violence. It is essential that any security operations carried out in this context strictly adhere to international human rights standards, avoiding any form of excessive use of force or abuse. The State must also reinforce its institutional capacity to prevent the illicit trafficking of firearms and other contraband, to interrupt the flow of weapons that fuel gang violence.

In light of the cross-border nature of the illicit arms trafficking, the Commission also underscores the importance of establishing international cooperation mechanisms for the exchange of relevant information on arms transfers and the prevention of related criminal activities. In this regard, the Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms (CIFTA) reaffirms the obligation of American States to cooperate at the bilateral, regional and international levels to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit manufacturing and trafficking of firearms, ammunition, explosives and related materials.

Finally, given the humanitarian and transnational dimensions of the crisis, the IACHR calls on the OAS Member States to fully engage in concrete and robust assistance to Haiti by supporting the UN Multinational Security Support Mission, providing direct cooperation, mobilizing human, material and financial resources and by delivering timely humanitarian assistance to those affected. At the same time, the IACHR highlights that the resolution of the crisis in Haiti requires inclusive and participatory dialogue. The State must create spaces for meaningful engagement with political parties, civil society, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders, with a view to developing comprehensive and sustainable responses that tackle the structural causes of violence and institutional fragility.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate stems from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has the mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as an advisory body to the OAS on the matter. The IACHR is made up of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity, and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 075/25

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