(United Nations) Haiti, plagued by gang violence, “is suspended above the precipice”, warned Wednesday the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, calling for “immediate” support. in the poor country of the Caribbean.
“I visited the country in February. It hangs over the precipice,” Volker Türk said in a video address to the UN Security Council.
“The state’s failure to guarantee human rights has completely undermined people’s trust. The social contract has collapsed”.
“The current anarchy is a human rights emergency that calls for a strong response,” the High Commissioner said.
“Haitian institutions need immediate support, through the deployment of a specialized and human rights-respecting support force, with a comprehensive action plan,” he insisted.
Last week, the new UN envoy to the country, Maria Isabel Salvador, pointed out that the “terror” inflicted by gangs on the population was spreading “at an alarming rate”.
Between 1er January and March 31, the number of reported homicides increased in the country by 21% compared to the previous quarter (815 against 673), and the number of kidnappings by 63% (637 against 391).
In this context, the UN keeps repeating its call to send a specialized international armed force to help the overwhelmed police to restore order.
Antonio Guterres had relayed for the first time in October the call for help from Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, asking the Security Council to send this non-UN force.
But without result since: if some countries indicated to be ready to take part in it, none seems to want to take the lead.