Gang violence in Haiti increases despite sanctions: UN

United Nations, Sep 29: Deadly gang violence in Haiti not only continues but is escalating, particularly rape and other sexual crimes, despite sanctions imposed on syndicate leaders, a UN spokesman said.

Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the world body chief reported conditions in the Caribbean nation in his latest report, mandated by the Security Council in October 2022 when it imposed sanctions against gang leaders and their enablers that include assets freeze, a travel ban and blocking the import of arms, reports Xinhua news agency.

“Gang-related violence has continued to escalate and to spread, exposing the Haitian population to extreme and systematic violence,” Dujarric said.

“Rape and other acts of sexual violence are pervasive.” The spokesman said while 80 per cent of criminal acts reported to the national police were committed in the Port-au-Prince area, gang activities expanded to other regions, particularly in the Artibonite Valley, Gonaives and Cap-Haitien.