Gang Violence and unrest in Haiti

What started the unrest?

Gang violence has long been a problem in Haiti, but it has worsened dramatically due to shifting power dynamics. This rise in gang activity has had devastating consequences for the country and its people, severely impacting human rights.  

The situation escalated following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, which left Haiti without effective leadership. Armed gangs capitalized on the power vacuum, using violence to expand their control over communities. An unchecked flow of illegal weapons and ammunition from other countries and weak law enforcement allow gangs to operate freely as they compete for control of territory.  

By early 2024, gang activity had brought the capital to complete paralysis. Attacks on police stations, hospitals, neighbourhoods and essential infrastructure like ports and roads interrupted daily life, leaving millions in chaos and fear.

Political instability and economic hardship

For decades, Haiti has faced severe economic, political and social challenges that have deeply affected its political systems. These problems are rooted in Haiti’s colonial history of exploitation and slavery, which created long-term inequalities. Recent events, like fuel shortages, destructive earthquakes, tropical storms and the Covid-19 pandemic, have made the situation even worse, adding to the hardships that have ignited gang violence.  

The assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021 further destabilized the country. Moïse was replaced by acting prime minister Ariel Henry, but his government struggled to control the growing power of armed gangs. By 2023, these gangs controlled large swathes of Port-au-Prince. In early 2024, Henry resigned, and a transitional presidential council was established in an attempt to stabilize the nation.  

Haitian authorities have a responsibility to protect human rights. Ensuring safety for all Haitians is essential, even in challenging times.

Unregulated arms trade

Gangs in Haiti rely on a variety of weapons and ammunition to commit human rights abuses. While exact data on the flow of arms into Haiti is unavailable, experts estimate that around 600,000 firearms are in circulation. Gangs obtain these weapons by stealing from government supplies and smuggling arms from other countries.  

Since 2023, importing firearms into Haiti has been banned, except for weapons and ammunition designated for use by the Haitian government or UN-authorized security forces. Because of Haiti’s location, many illegal weapons are believed to come from the United States, where weak regulations on gun sales make it easier to buy and smuggle firearms.  

While Haiti does not have any formal industrial weapons production, recent research suggests that craft-made, 3D-printed or converted blank guns are an increasing threat.  

Children trapped by violence

Haiti’s escalating crisis has severely impacted its children, stripping them of safety, stability, and opportunities. Armed gangs recruit and use children into dangerous roles such as lookouts, couriers, and laborers. These children are often threatened with violence if they refuse to comply, leaving them trapped in fear.  

The violence has also displaced hundreds of thousands of children and their families, forcing them into overcrowded sites with inadequate access to food, clean water, and healthcare. Many children are unable to attend school, disrupting their education and future prospects.  

Beyond physical harm, the crisis has caused widespread distress. Children are growing up in constant fear, unable to play, learn, or thrive in a safe environment.  

Recruitment and use of children 

In Haiti, armed gangs are using children of all genders for a variety of purposes. These children are coerced into dangerous roles such as acting as lookouts, running errands, and carrying weapons. Many join out of fear for their lives or because of extreme poverty, leaving them little choice.   

Once recruited, children face violence and threats, resulting in a loss of childhood and freedom. Some are exploited in criminal activities, placing them at risk of arrest and detention. This not only robs them of their future but also denies them access to education and safety. Communities also suffer as children are drawn into the cycle of violence. Protecting children from recruitment is essential to securing their well-being and Haiti’s future.  

Impact on children with disabilities

The current crisis has a disproportionate impact on children with disabilities. Many face added challenges in fleeing from violence due to mobility limitations and lack of assistive devices. In displacement sites, conditions are even more dire for these children, as resources like medical care, specialized equipment, and support services are scarce.   

Without proper attention, these children risk being overlooked. Ensuring children with disabilities have equal access to safety, healthcare, and education is vital to upholding their rights and providing them a chance to thrive.  

This story is not the end of my life. My life can change. I hope my life will change.

Words of a boy who lost a leg after being shot by a sniper.

Violence and killings

Widespread violence in Haiti has caused countless deaths and injuries, devastating families and entire communities. Armed gangs engage in random, indiscriminate shootings, trapping residents in the crossfire. They also carry out targeted attacks against communities. Children are especially at risk, with many injured or killed during these clashes.   

The impact on families is immense. Those who lose loved ones are left to cope with lifelong distress, and the ongoing terror of continued attacks. Hospitals and healthcare facilities struggle to treat those affected due to limited resources and ongoing insecurity. The violence creates a sense of constant fear, leaving communities unable to rebuild or feel safe. Addressing this crisis is essential to saving lives, restoring peace and fostering hope for Haiti’s future.  

Mass killings

Mass killings driven by gang violence have devastated communities in Haiti. High-profile examples highlight the brutality and frequency of these large-scale attacks. In 2018, 71 people were killed in gang attacks on La Saline in Port-au-Prince. Residents were subjected to horrific violence, including dismemberment.  

In 2024, 115 people were killed in an attack by the Gran Grif gang on the town of Pont-Sondé in October and 180 others, primarily older people, were killed in Cité Soleil in December in attacks ordered by a gang leader. Attacks like these are enabled by impunity and weak law enforcement. 

Rape and other forms of sexual violence

Women and girls are particularly at risk of sexual violence, which gangs often use as a tool to intimidate and control communities. Girls face attacks while traveling to school, running errands, or even within their homes.   

Survivors frequently face stigma, which discourages them from seeking help. This leaves them without medical care or psychological support, perpetuating their suffering. All states have a responsibility to end sexual and gender-based violence. It robs people of safety, dignity, and opportunities for the future. Tackling this issue is critical to breaking the cycle of violence and building a safer, more equitable Haiti.  

Humanitarian crisis

The increase in gang violence in Haiti has created a profound humanitarian crisis, marked by widespread displacement and the collapse of essential services.  

One million people have been displaced, half of whom are children. Many of those forced to flee their homes are living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions without access to clean water, food and healthcare. 5.4 million people in Haiti, half of the total population, are living in acute hunger.

Healthcare facilities are under siege, as gangs target hospitals and clinics, forcing many to close. Members of gangs have murdered and kidnapped physicians, nurses and healthcare workers, creating an existential threat to Haitians’ right to health. Meanwhile, Haiti is still recovering from the 2022 cholera outbreak. Without access to health services, Haitians are at greater risk of experiencing  even more disease outbreaks.  

Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti (MSS)

In October 2023, the UN Security Council authorized an international force to be dispatched to Haiti, called the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti (MSS). This mission is led by Kenya and supported by the United States and other countries. The main goal is to disarm gangs and stabilize the country. Kenyan police forces began arriving in Haiti in June 2024 and subsequent deployments of security forces followed from other countries, including Jamaica, Belize, the Bahamas, Guatemala and El Salvador.  

The establishment of the mission was met with caution by human rights groups, citing widespread human rights violations and impunity during previous foreign security missions to Haiti. Despite some efforts to communicate and liaise with civil society, the mission has so far failed to address serious concerns about transparency and human rights safeguards.  

Amnesty International is calling on the MSS to ensure that it upholds human rights safeguards. The organization is also calling on the mission to release more details about how it will address risks and ensure that human rights are respected throughout its operations.  

What is Amnesty International doing to help?

Our researchers and campaigners are working hard to advocate for the protection of human rights in Haiti by documenting and exposing abuses and violations, including those linked to gang violence. We are partnering with local Haitian organizations to amplify their voices and create long-lasting solutions to ensure the safety and well-being of all Haitians.  

We are calling on the Haitian government to take decisive action. They must develop and implement a comprehensive child protection plan to safeguard and prevent further violence against children and provide victims with rehabilitation and other necessary care. The government must also bring an end to impunity for human rights violations by holding anyone suspected of criminal responsibility to account in fair trials and creating a framework that guarantees protections for those most at risk, including children.  

The international community must provide technical and financial assistance to Haitian authorities to support human rights-based initiatives. Amnesty International also calls for more transparency and sound safeguarding measures in the MSS.