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UN PhotoOHCHR / HAITI SPECIALIZED JUDICIAL UNITES – ENGLISH
STORY: OHCHR / HAITI SPECIALIZED JUDICIAL UNITES – ENGLISH
TRT: 02:10
SOURCE: OHCHR / UNTV CH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 02 JUNE 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / FILE
FILE - GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
1. Wide shot, Palais des Nations
02 JUNE 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
2. Wide shot, briefing room
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Marta Hurtado, Spokesperson, UN Human Rights (OHCHR):
“We welcome the opening of two specialised judicial units in Haiti, which marks a significant step toward tackling widespread impunity in the country.”
4. Wide shot, briefing room
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Marta Hurtado, Spokesperson, UN Human Rights (OHCHR):
“So far this year, gang-related violence has resulted in at least 2,310 deaths, 1,106 injuries, and 99 kidnappings. In addition, 699 people, notably women and young girls, have fallen victim to sexual violence, and hundreds of children continue to be trafficked by gangs.”
6. Wide shot, briefing room
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Marta Hurtado, Spokesperson, UN Human Rights (OHCHR):
“Courts have been attacked, vandalised and occupied by gangs, while magistrates and justice officials have been the victims of attacks and death threats from these groups.”
8. Wide shot, briefing room
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Marta Hurtado, Spokesperson, UN Human Rights (OHCHR):
“The two specialized units are expected to address complex corruption cases, including the illicit trade of arms, money laundering, as well as to deal with serious human rights violations and abuses like killings, kidnappings, sexual violence, and child trafficking perpetrated by gangs.”
10. Wide shot, briefing room
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Marta Hurtado, Spokesperson, UN Human Rights (OHCHR):
“These specialized units must be competent, impartial, and independent, both institutionally and individually. This is essential for enhancing public confidence in the justice system. The safety of judges and the security of courts must also be protected.”
12. Wide shot, briefing room
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Marta Hurtado, Spokesperson, UN Human Rights (OHCHR):
“The UN Human Rights chief urges the Haitian authorities to quickly implement these units in accordance with international human rights law and best practices, with the support of the international community.”
14. Wide shot, briefing room
At the bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva today (2 Jun), UN Human Rights spokesperson (OHCHR) Marta Hurtado welcomed the opening of two specialised judicial units in Haiti, “which marks a significant step toward tackling widespread impunity in the country.”
Haiti has been facing long-standing significant challenges due to political instability, systemic corruption and widespread gang violence.
“So far this year, gang-related violence has resulted in at least 2,310 deaths, 1,106 injuries, and 99 kidnappings. In addition, 699 people, notably women and young girls, have fallen victim to sexual violence, and hundreds of children continue to be trafficked by gangs," she stated.
“Courts have been attacked, vandalised and occupied by gangs, while magistrates and justice officials have been the victims of attacks and death threats from these groups,” the spokesperson said.
“The two specialized units are expected to address complex corruption cases, including the illicit trade of arms, money laundering, as well as to deal with serious human rights violations and abuses like killings, kidnappings, sexual violence, and child trafficking perpetrated by gangs,” Hurtado said.
“These specialized units must be competent, impartial, and independent, both institutionally and individually. This is essential for enhancing public confidence in the justice system. The safety of judges and the security of courts must also be protected,” said the spokesperson.
Hurtado commented that if they function properly these units should be a steppingstone towards facilitating the accountability process, ensuring that victims have access to justice and reparations. They should also help strengthen the rule of law, address corruption, and restore public confidence in the currently dysfunctional justice system.
“The UN Human Rights chief urges the Haitian authorities to quickly implement these units in accordance with international human rights law and best practices, with the support of the international community,” the spokesperson stated.
