The escalating gang crisis in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, has inflicted significant harm on children, according to a report by Amnesty International. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021, the gang-related violence has increased, reaching “unprecedented levels” in 2024. Children are now facing threats such as forced recruitment, sexual violence, and kidnappings.
In areas where gangs control approximately 80 percent of Port-au-Prince, around one million children live under constant threat. The report highlights that girls are particularly vulnerable, suffering abductions, rape, and sexual assault at home and on the streets. The lack of legal abortion services following these assaults has forced some victims to resort to unsafe procedures, contributing to maternal mortality rates.
The state of law enforcement in gang-occupied areas is minimal, hindering many survivors from reporting their experiences. Additionally, gangs have looted healthcare facilities, exacerbating the already fragile healthcare system in Haiti.
The report also emphasizes the plight of children with disabilities, who are disproportionately affected due to their reduced mobility and the inaccessibility of essential services. Furthermore, children often find themselves caught in crossfires during territorial disputes between rival gangs, resulting in injuries and fatalities.
Haiti ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1995, committing to protect children from violence and exploitation. As stipulated by Article 19(1), the state has an obligation to implement measures to safeguard children from abuse. However, the current situation starkly contrasts these commitments, with ongoing reports of gang-related threats to children’s rights.
The year 2024 saw over 5,601 people killed due to gang violence, illuminating the severity of the crisis. Calls have been made, including from the UN, for urgent international intervention to support Haiti’s police forces and prevent a further breakdown of governmental authority in Port-au-Prince.
Despite international legal frameworks and warnings, the exacerbating gang violence in Haiti continues to threaten the well-being and rights of its youngest citizens, casting a shadow over the country’s future stability and recovery.