The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses profound concern regarding the escalating violence and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Haiti, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

The Commission condemns the recent string of gang attacks, which have resulted in significant loss of life, mass displacement of people, and widespread human rights violations.

On April 2, 2025, thousands of Haitians took to the streets to denounce the escalating gang violence and demand effective governmental action. The demonstrations, which began peacefully, escalated into violent clashes involving gunfire near government offices, reflecting the population's frustration with the apparent inaction of the authorities. In response to the crisis, the head of Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council announced plans to deploy agents from the Brigade for the Security of Protected Areas (BSAP) to support the police.

The Commission is further worried by reports indicating that weaknesses in border controls have facilitated the influx of firearms into Haiti, exacerbating the capacity of gangs to commit violent acts. The United Nations has highlighted that underfunded and understaffed customs and police forces are ill-equipped to monitor and control the flow of weapons into the country.

In the face of the ongoing crisis's magnitude, the State has the primary responsibility to adopt effective security measures aimed at restoring public order, facilitate the free movement of people and goods, and protecting the population from gang-related violence. It is essential that any security operations carried out in this context strictly adhere to international human rights standards, avoiding any form of excessive use of force or abuse. The State must also reinforce its institutional capacity to prevent the illicit trafficking of firearms and other contraband, to interrupt the flow of weapons that fuel gang violence.

Finally, given the humanitarian and transnational dimensions of the crisis, the IACHR calls on the OAS Member States to fully engage in concrete and robust assistance to Haiti by supporting the UN Multinational Security Support Mission, providing direct cooperation, mobilizing human, material and financial resources and by delivering timely humanitarian assistance to those affected.

Learn more about the IACHR :

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate stems from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has the mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as an advisory body to the OAS on the matter. The IACHR is made up of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity, and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41726-haiti-insecurity-the-iachr-concerned-by-the-intensification-of-violence-in-haiti.html

HL/ HaitiLibre