More than 5500 people were killed in Haiti from March last year to mid-January due to gang force and fight against them," reported the Office of the UN advanced Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) today.
"Haiti continues to face alarming levels of gang violence, making it hard to warrant respect for human rights", the study says.
The paper besides stresses that there are "deadly acts of violence" involving safety services, private safety companies and self-defense groups.
From 1 March 2025 to 15 January 2026, at least 5519 people died in Haiti and 2608 were injured. The number of killed and wounded due to gang force was 1424 and 790, respectively, and the number of operations against gangs by safety services – 3497 and 1742. The others killed and injured are victims of groups of self-defense against gangs.
Haiti, which is the poorest country in America, has been harassed by gangs for many years, committing murders, rapes, thefts and kidnappings. The gangs now control almost the full capital of Port-au-Prince, but over the past year they have besides subjugated any suburbs and areas north of the city – the study states.
Attention was besides paid to the disproportionate sometimes utilized force by police – for example, 196 collective executions of suspected gang members or their support.
APW, PAP
