A joint investigation report released by the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Monday sheds light on a brutal massacre carried out by the Wharf Jérémie criminal gang in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, between December 6 and 11. The report details the execution of at least 207 individuals, including 134 men and 73 women, in what is described as an act of indiscriminate violence.
The gang, led by a man seeking revenge for his son’s illness, accused Vodou priests and elderly people of being responsible for his child’s condition. As a result, members of the Wharf Jérémie gang targeted and killed several individuals they believed were involved in causing the illness. Among the victims were also those who were interrogated and mistreated, with some relatives of the initial victims being executed. To erase evidence, the perpetrators reportedly set fire to the bodies using gasoline or dismembered the victims before disposing of their remains in the sea.
Context of Escalating Gang Violence in Haiti
This massacre is part of a larger pattern of gang-related violence in Haiti, which has escalated since mid-2022. The Wharf Jérémie gang has been locked in a violent territorial struggle with other gangs, particularly those from the Village de Dieu and Grand Ravine areas, all vying for control over the La Saline port in Port-au-Prince. The gang violence has significantly worsened the security situation in the capital, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country.
The UN’s report highlights a staggering toll, with over 5,350 people killed and more than 2,150 injured due to gang violence in 2023 alone. Since the beginning of 2022, more than 17,000 people have either lost their lives or suffered serious injuries due to the escalating violence, further destabilizing Haiti, which has struggled with political deadlock and a weakening judicial system.
Lack of Accountability and Judicial Inaction
Despite the gravity of these crimes, the report underscores the lack of meaningful action by the Haitian justice system. The Port-au-Prince prosecutor’s office has failed to take action against the perpetrators of the massacre, and this lack of accountability is a recurring theme for other recorded crimes. For months, no police or judicial authorities have intervened in the Wharf Jérémie area, allowing gang members to act with impunity and evade justice for violations of international humanitarian law.
María Isabel Salvador, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Haiti and head of BINUH, called for immediate action from Haitian authorities. She urged the Haitian justice system to launch a comprehensive investigation into the massacre, arrest the perpetrators, and establish a specialized judicial unit to address crimes of this magnitude. Salvador emphasized the devastating impact of such crimes on Haiti’s most vulnerable populations, stating that they strike at the very core of Haitian society.
International Response and Recommendations
The report also calls for the continued engagement of the international community to assist Haiti in restoring security. The UN recommends the continuation of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, as outlined in Security Council resolutions 2699 and 2751, to aid the Haitian National Police in tackling gang violence while ensuring full respect for international law. Additionally, the international community is urged to prevent the transfer of arms and related materials to Haiti, as stipulated in Security Council resolutions 2653, 2700, and 2752, to limit the flow of weapons that fuel the ongoing conflict.
As gang violence continues to spiral out of control, the UN stresses the need for immediate action to address both the security and humanitarian crises in Haiti. The latest massacre underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts between Haitian authorities and the international community to restore peace, stability, and the rule of law.
Picture by Drazen Zigic on Freepik
