In Haiti, at least 70 people, including infants, killed with automatic rifles by gang members

Since the start of the year, at least 3,661 residents have died in the violence that is undermining the country.

A gang killed “at least 70 people” in Haiti – including around ten women and three infants – and seriously injured at least 16 others on Thursday, October 3. Members of the “Gran Grif” criminal group were armed with automatic rifles, the UN Human Rights Office said, saying “horrified”. This attack against the population was committed in Pont Sondé, a locality in the Artibonite department located on the road linking Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haïtien. Two of the seriously injured people are gang members hit during an exchange of fire with Haitian police.

The criminals “are said to have set fire to at least 45 houses and 34 vehicles”forcing residents to flee. The High Commission calls “an increase in international financial and logistical assistance to the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti” (MMAS). The MMAS, made up mainly of Kenyan police officers, recently began a mission to support the Haitian police who are having the greatest difficulty opposing the heavily armed gangs who set fires and has been bloodying the capital and its surroundings for many months.

At the end of September, the United States announced sanctions targeting the leader of the “Gran Grif” gang, Luckson Elan, for his involvement in serious human rights violations. The US Treasury Department cites kidnappings, murders, rapes of women and children as well as looting, destruction, extortion, theft of crops and livestock. A former member of Parliament, Prophane Victor, is also subject to sanctions for its role in forming, supporting and arming gangs.

“It is essential that the authorities conduct a prompt and thorough investigation into this attack, bring those responsible to justice, and ensure reparations for the victims and their families.”reacted the High Commission after these new abuses against civilians. A wish that is likely to remain a dead letter, given the fragility of the country’s institutions. At least 3,661 people have been killed in violence in Haiti since January.