The Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights (CARDH) announced on Thursday that they would temporarily suspend their operations in Haiti due to escalating threats against its staff. CARDH, operating in Haiti since 2008, has been steadily reducing its operations over recent months due to intensifying gang violence within the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince.
Through their work, CARDH has revealed criminal activities, political dynamics and economic interests in Haiti. For instance, in a September report, CARDH shed light on the growing crisis faced by internally displaced persons in Port-au-Prince, a crisis worsened by increasing gang violence leading to a sharp decline in living conditions for these vulnerable groups.
The broad human rights situation in Haiti, as documented by various organizations and supported by the US Department of State’s 2022 Human Rights Report On Haiti, evidenced rampant kidnappings and murders, predominantly in the West Department, including Port-au-Prince.
In response to the situation, the UN Security Council sanctioned a one-year extension of the sanctions regime on Haiti and authorized a one-year Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, led by Kenya in collaboration with the Haitian government, to restore peace and security amid the escalating gang violence. Parallelly, the US government sanctioned individuals implicated in undermining Haiti’s democratic processes, supporting gangs, committing corruption and human rights abuses.
The US Treasury Department also imposed sanctions on Gary Bodeau, the former President of the Haitian Chamber of Deputies, due to his involvement in corruption. Canada simultaneously sanctioned three prominent Haitian businessmen. These sanctions target individuals allegedly engaged in corruption.
With these continuous threats now being carried out, CARDH is suspending its activities aimed at contributing to the construction of democracy and the rule of law in Haiti. The organization awaits protective measures before it can resume its work.
The original news article is available here.