‘Wanton, intentional infliction of incredible pain’ by gangs in Haiti

That’s according to the Designated Human Rights Expert for Haiti, William O’Neill, who spoke to UN News ahead of the release of a new report which reveals that at least 542 people were killed and another 355 were injured in just two neighbourhoods of the capital, Port-au-Prince, during a 3.5-month period up to June 20.

At least 26 gangs control up to 90 per cent of Port-au-Prince and some of the surrounding areas. 

More than 176 women and girls, aged 10 to 71, were also victims of rape and gang rape at the hands of suspected gang members “often as a form of punishment against people living in areas controlled by rival gangs,” the report said. 

More than 18,000 people were also forced to flee their homes.

A number of individual cases have been highlighted by UN human rights monitors in the report, published by the UN’s political office in Haiti, known by its French acronym, BINUH.