Media Home
UN Web TV
UN Audiovisual Library
UN PhotoOHCHR / HAITI HUMAN RIGHTS
Download
There is no media available to download.
Share
STORY: OHCHR / HAITI HUMAN RIGHTS
TRT: 02:29
SOURCE: OHCHR / UNTV CH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / FRENCH / NATS
DATELINE: 02 OCTOBER 2025, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / FILE
FILE - GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
1. Wide shot, exterior, Palais des Nations
02 OCTOBER 2025, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
2. Wide shot, Assembly Hall
3. SOUNDBITE (French) Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“More children are being subjected to trafficking, exploitation and forced recruitment by the gangs. They are used as couriers, lookouts, or weapons carriers, and are sometimes coerced into combat roles against rival gangs, security forces and so-called self-defence groups. We can only imagine the long-term impact, for the children of Haiti, and for society as a whole.”
4. Wide shot, dais
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“I am concerned that state law enforcement have used unnecessary and disproportionate lethal force in their operations against the gangs. For example, operations by law enforcement account for more than half of killings and injuries so far this year - a steep increase compared to 2024. Almost one third of people killed or injured were hit by stray bullets.”
6. Close up, Türk on camera viewfinder
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“Since March, the Government has stepped up its use of explosive drones in its anti-gang operations in Port-au-Prince. As of mid-September, drone strikes have killed at least 559 people, including 11 children. Most of these drone strikes are likely unlawful under international human rights law.”
8. Wide shot, Assembly Hall
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“A spiral of violence between gang members, the population, and the security forces will only add to people’s feelings of insecurity. Efforts to restore security need to be rooted in human rights and go hand in hand with rebuilding the rule of law and justice in the country.”
10. Close up, Türk on screen
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“The people of Haiti need the unwavering attention and support of the international community.”
12. Wide shot, delegates
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“I urge States to support the Gang Suppression Force with sufficient funding and personnel. It is vital to ensure that robust human rights safeguards underpin its work.”
14. Wide shot, dais
Delivering his oral update to the Human Rights Council’s 60th session on the human rights situation in Haiti, Human Rights Chief Volker Türk today (2 Oct) expressed concern that “state law enforcement have used unnecessary and disproportionate lethal force in their operations against the gangs.”
Türk said, “more children are being subjected to trafficking, exploitation and forced recruitment by the gangs. They are used as couriers, lookouts, or weapons carriers, and are sometimes coerced into combat roles against rival gangs, security forces and so-called self-defence groups. We can only imagine the long-term impact, for the children of Haiti, and for society as a whole.”
He said, “operations by law enforcement account for more than half of killings and injuries so far this year - a steep increase compared to 2024. Almost one third of people killed or injured were hit by stray bullets.”
Specialised police units have summarily executed 174 people this year for alleged affiliation with gangs.
“Since March, the Government has stepped up its use of explosive drones in its anti-gang operations in Port-au-Prince. As of mid-September, drone strikes have killed at least 559 people, including 11 children. Most of these drone strikes are likely unlawful under international human rights law,” the High Commissioner stated.
He said so-called self-defence groups and spontaneous angry mobs have killed more than 500 alleged gang members this year -- with the alleged support of police officers.
Türk said, “a spiral of violence between gang members, the population, and the security forces will only add to people’s feelings of insecurity. Efforts to restore security need to be rooted in human rights and go hand in hand with rebuilding the rule of law and justice in the country.”
“The people of Haiti need the unwavering attention and support of the international community,” he said.
Türk urges states “to support the Gang Suppression Force with sufficient funding and personnel. It is vital to ensure that robust human rights safeguards underpin its work.”
The High Commissioner welcomed Wednesday’s decision of the UN Security Council to strengthen the Multinational Security Support mission by transitioning to the Gang Suppression Force for Haiti, stating it is a strong signal of international support for the Haitian people.
Gangs are spreading fear beyond the capital, Port-au-Prince, into nearby regions, including in the Lower Artibonite and in the Centre department, creating a fertile ground for further cross-border arms, drugs, and human trafficking, which threaten to destabilize the wider sub-region.
The UN Human Rights Office is working with the authorities to step up investigations and prosecutions, including through Specialised Judicial Units. The High Commissioner urged strong support for programmes to protect victims of sexual violence.
Half of Haiti's population – six million people, including 3.3 million children - need humanitarian aid. Some 1.3 million people, half of them children, have fled their homes. Haiti is now among the five global food insecurity hotspots of highest concern.
