Armed attacks are on the rise in Haiti, particularly in the departments of the West and Artibonite, causing the death of hundreds of people and the gang rape of several women and girls. In light of this alarming situation, the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH) demands explanations from state authorities.
Since the beginning of 2023, armed criminals have been operating wherever they want and taking control of all areas that interest them, as has been the case in the communes of Pétion-ville, Kenscoff, Port-au-Prince, Delmas, Cabaret, La Croix-des-Bouquets, Liancourt, Verrettes, Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite and Montrouis.
RNDDH took the opportunity of the armed attack perpetrated during the night of April 23 to 24, 2023, in Debussy, in the upper part of Turgeau, in the commune of Port-au-Prince, to recall the various bloody events that have taken place in recent months. For example, Bel-Air was the scene of violent armed clashes between the armed gangs members of G-9 an Fanmi and Allies and the Bel-Air gang, respectively led by Jimmy CHERIZIER alias Barbecue and Kempès SANON. During these clashes, one hundred and forty-eight (148) people were murdered or went missing, while three (3) people were injured by bullets and sixty-two (62) houses were burned.
During the night of March 19-20, 2023, heavily armed men led by gang leader Vitelhomme INNOCENT carried out an armed attack on the communities of Cargo and Tunnel. At least nine (9) people were killed, six (6) of whose bodies were burned. On March 31, 2023, armed bandits from the Kraze Baryè base led by Vitelhomme INNOCENT attacked the localities of Bérette, Calebasse and Fort-Jacques, setting fire to houses and vehicles and executing several members of the population.
On April 6, 2023, armed bandits from Canaan launched an offensive against the residents of Onaville, murdering members of the population and looting and burning houses. The local population, unable to face the fury of these armed bandits, had to flee for their lives. Faced with this disturbing situation, RNDDH asks the state authorities to take the necessary measures to put an end to this wave of violence and protect Haitian citizens.