PORT-A-PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – The United Nations-designated expert on human rights in Haiti, William O’Neill, has held talks with senior officials of the Haitian National Police (PNH) as part of the preparation of his upcoming report on the security situation in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.
O’Neill, who met with Vladimir Paraison, PNH Director General, expressed his condolences to the law enforcement agency for the losses suffered at the hands of criminal gangs that have been seeking to overthrow the interim government since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021.
Paraison described the situation as “utter hell,” painting a picture of the current security situation with the well-armed gangs, hardening their tactics, making the fight with law enforcement even more perilous, particularly in the West and Artibonite departments.
During the discussions, the issue of children within gangs and as child soldiers was raised with the police, noting that children as young as eight-year-olds were being used as lookouts, while those aged 11 to 14 are armed and sent to the front lines.
The PNH, in acknowledging the situation, noted that the Brigade for the Protection of Minors (BPM) has only one large room and no suitable center to care for these children, whether for detention or reintegration.
The police are therefore calling for a multidimensional response, involving the State, the Institute for Social Welfare (IBESR), and partners such as UNICEF to address the educational and social aspects.
But despite the situation, the police high command sought to assure the UN delegation that strict mechanisms are in place to guide interventions and respect human rights.
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