Caribbean Times             December 10, 2024

   The spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, said that the killings occurred between December 6-8 in the Wharf Jérémie neighborhood in Cité Soleil and that the Secretary-General “expresses his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims of this horrific act.

   “The Secretary-General calls on the Haitian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that perpetrators of these and all other human rights abuses and violations are brought to justice.”

   Dujarric said that the Secretary-General reiterates his pressing call to member states to provide the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission with the financial and logistical support required to successfully assist the Haitian National Police in addressing gang violence.

   “He also calls on all Haitian stakeholders to accelerate progress in the political transition,” he added.

   The National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH) in Haiti said that the killings were allegedly the result of revenge by Micanor Altes alias “Wa Mikanò,” leader of the Wharf Jeremie gang.

   Media reports said that the gang, which also operates around Fort Dimanche and La Saline, had been convinced by a voodoo priest that older adults in the area practicing witchcraft had cast a deadly spell on his son, who died Saturday afternoon.

   The RNDDH said as a result, older adults suspected of witchcraft were reportedly targeted and that the vast majority of victims were over 60 years old.

   Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that it believes the UN Security Council should urgently authorize and rapidly deploy a United Nations mission in Haiti (blue helmets) that would ensure a human rights-based response to restore security, the rule of law, and democratic governance in Haiti.

   HRW said the crisis in Haiti has reached catastrophic proportions due to the intensification of large-scale coordinated attacks by criminal groups against the population and key infrastructure of the country.

   “Haitians say that the fear of attacks by criminal groups has taken over their daily lives, and millions struggle to find food, water, and health care,” said Ida Sawyer, crisis, conflict, and arms director at Human Rights Watch.

   “A new, full-fledged UN mission that respects rights and builds on the initial UN efforts could provide the Haitian people a genuine opportunity to reconstruct their lives with hope and dignity,” Sawyer added.

   In a letter dated November 29, the Security Council asked the Secretary-General to present “strategic recommendations” on the role the UN could play in resolving the security, economic, and humanitarian crisis in Haiti.

   HRW said it believes that the Secretary-General should act quickly to respond to the Security Council’s request and, in line with this, the UN should take rapid and concrete measures to support Haiti.