Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged UN Secretary-General António Guterres to consider deploying a full-fledged UN peacekeeping mission to address the ongoing conflict and security crisis in Haiti. The call comes amid escalating violence and the humanitarian crisis affecting the nation.

Push for Transformation of Current Mission

HRW’s UN Director, Louis Charbonneau, advocated for transforming the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, led by Kenya in Haiti, into a UN peacekeeping operation. This request aligns with a long-standing appeal from Haitian authorities for a more robust international intervention.

In November, the UN Security Council asked Guterres to explore a full range of options for UN involvement in the Haitian crisis. HRW argues that upgrading the MSS into a UN operation would be a step in the right direction to restore stability and end the humanitarian crisis in Haiti, where gang violence controls much of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Guterres’ Position and Funding Challenges

Despite HRW’s call, Guterres recently described a UN peacekeeping mission as a “last resort” and plans to propose a greater financial commitment from the UN to cover logistics and salaries for the MSS through a trust fund, excluding lethal support.

Currently, around 1,000 personnel are on the ground, with plans to expand to 2,500, but HRW believes this is insufficient to disarm and control the gangs. Therefore, they emphasize the necessity of transforming the MSS into a full-fledged UN mission.

Historical Context and Ongoing Security Crisis

The UN previously operated the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) from 2004 to 2017 after the ouster of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Although aimed at maintaining peace, MINUSTAH faced widespread criticism for its ineffectiveness and numerous allegations of sexual abuse, including cases involving minors, as well as a cholera outbreak linked to UN personnel.

According to UN-verified data, at least 5,626 people died in Haiti in 2024 due to gang violence (1,000 more than the previous year), with 2,213 injured and 1,494 victims of kidnapping.

Growing Humanitarian Concerns and Urgent Call for Action

As Haiti’s security crisis continues to worsen, Human Rights Watch and other humanitarian organizations are urging the international community to take decisive action. The demand for a stronger UN role reflects the urgent need to address gang violence, restore stability, and provide humanitarian aid to the Haitian population.

The situation remains critical, and the world is watching to see how the United Nations and global leaders respond to this deepening crisis.

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