The human rights situation in Haiti remained “very alarming” in the fourth quarter of 2024, marked by at least three massacres that resulted in over 300 deaths across different areas, according to a new report from the United Nations (UN) published this Tuesday in the capital.

The UN reported that these massacres caused more than 300 fatalities in the Wharf Jérémie neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, as well as in Pont Sondé, located in the municipality of Saint Marc, and Petite Rivière, both in the Artibonite department.

The violence in Haiti during the last quarter was also characterized by the consolidation of “popular justice.” During this period, at least 268 people were lynched or executed under such circumstances, bringing the total number of such deaths to over 596 for all of 2024.

From October 1 to December 31, 2024, according to data provided by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), at least 1,732 people died and 411 were injured due to gang violence, self-defense groups, and police operations. This raises the total death toll for 2024 to 5,626 and injuries to 2,213.

Additionally, at least 431 individuals were kidnapped by gangs for ransom during the last quarter of the year, contributing to a total of 1,494 kidnappings throughout 2024.

Gang Crimes Persist Relentlessly

The BINUH report expressed concern over armed gang members continuing to sexually violate and exploit women and girls while recruiting young boys to reinforce their control over the population. “These gangs have also maintained their tactics of controlling people’s freedom of movement on major roads entering and exiting the capital while attacking and looting public and private buildings, including schools and hospitals,” stated the report.

The high number of casualties during police operations against gangs is also highlighted in the report, noting that at least 771 individuals were killed or injured during the last quarter.

“Moreover, there were extrajudicial executions allegedly committed by police elements,” revealed the document, indicating that at least 80 people were killed under these circumstances during Q4, raising the total for 2024 to 281.

Inhumane Detention Conditions

Among those affected were individuals accused of being affiliated with gangs as well as motorcycle taxi drivers and street vendors who could not present identification or justify their presence in certain neighborhoods at the time of their arrest.

The report established that prison conditions remain “degrading” and “inhumane,” leading to the deaths of 21 inmates from October to December alone—totaling 186 detainee deaths for all of 2024.

In light of these abuses and human rights violations, authorities have taken timid measures to combat impunity among perpetrators. Several judicial proceedings have been initiated to fight corruption, according to BINUH. However, following the massacres at Wharf Jérémie and Pont Sondé, although police investigations have begun, no judicial actions had been recorded by December 31, 2024.

Similarly, regarding extrajudicial executions allegedly involving police officers, little action has been taken by the General Inspectorate of the Haitian National Police (PNH) to identify those responsible due to a lack of security.

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