On Friday, June 13, 2025, Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, deplored the fact that the human rights crisis in Haiti has reached an all-time high, with gangs extending their influence beyond Port-au-Prince to the central regions of the country, committing murders, rapes, and kidnappings.

Volker Türk noted the record number of 1.3 million people displaced by the violence. He also highlighted that at least 2,680 people were killed between January 1st and May 30, 2025, including 54 children, according to information verified by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

At least 957 others were injured and 316 were kidnapped for ransom. Sexual violence committed by gangs and the recruitment of children also continue to increase.

"Alarming as they are, numbers cannot express the horrors Haitians are being forced to endure on a daily basis," Türk said in a statement. "I am horrified by the ever-increasing spread of gang attacks and other human rights abuses beyond the capital, and deeply concerned by their destabilising impact on other countries in the region."

"While law enforcement struggles to restore security, mob and self-defence groups are taking the matter into their own hands, leading to even more human rights abuses," he added.

Crackdowns against gangs have recently intensified in the capital. Since the beginning of the year, at least 1,448 people have been killed in police operations, while at least 65 have been summarily executed by police officers, the OHCHR said.

"Any use of lethal force by law enforcement officers should always be in accordance with human rights law, and abide by the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, non-discrimination, precaution, and accountability," said the UN human rights chief. "Those violating the law must be held to account."

"Impunity for human rights violations and corruption are drivers of the long-standing and multi-dimensional crisis facing the country. It is essential that the authorities live up to their agreement to address all crimes, including sexual violence and financial crimes such as corruption. The specialized judicial task forces should be established as soon as possible"

He urged the international community to act decisively to end the violence. He called for renewed support for the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission, noting that it was under-equipped and understaffed. He also called for the full implementation of the arms embargo imposed by the UN Security Council.

Volker Tûrk reiterated his call for all States not to forcibly return anyone to Haiti and to ensure that Haitians who have fled their country are protected from all forms of discrimination and stigmatization.

HL/ HaitiLibre