{"id":83695,"date":"2026-03-16T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/glimmer-of-hope-in-haiti-amid-shifting-gang-frontlines\/"},"modified":"2026-03-16T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T12:00:00","slug":"glimmer-of-hope-in-haiti-amid-shifting-gang-frontlines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/?p=83695","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Glimmer of hope\u2019 in Haiti amid shifting gang frontlines"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n<\/p>\n
\n
At least 1.4 million people largely in the capital Port-au-Prince, have been forced to flee their homes due to gang violence, creating what the UN\u2019s Designated Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti, William O\u2019Neill, has called an \u201cunprecedented level of internal displacement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking to journalists at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday following a 10-day mission to the country, he said that the \u201con-going human rights crisis creates massive suffering for the Haitian people, especially the most vulnerable.\u201d<\/p>\n
At least 26 gangs control up to 90 per cent of\u00a0Port-au-Prince and some of the surrounding areas. Around half of all gang members are children, under the age of 18.<\/p>\n
Burnt-out vehicles line a roadside in Port-au-Prince, after a reported firefight between gang members and the police. (file). <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
They violently extort communities, carry out rape and kidnap some for ransom, all while fighting the beleaguered Haitian security forces for territorial dominance. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Shifting frontlines<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Thousands of people \u201cremain trapped in areas controlled by gangs or along shifting frontlines,\u201d said Mr. O\u2019Neill, facing what he described as \u201cinvisible borders.\u201d<\/p>\n
For young women and girls those borders are even greater: \u201cThey face discrimination for being girls, for living in gang-controlled neighborhoods, and for being poor. \u2018I just want to live well and safely,\u2019<\/em> one girl told me, \u2018because this is my country,\u2019\u201d\u00a0<\/em>he said.<\/p>\n
The UN\u2019s Designated Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti, William O\u2019Neill (left) meets Haiti’s Minister of Justice Patrick Pelissier.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Haiti is faced with a deepening humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the ongoing violence and frequent extreme weather events including floods and droughts as well as earthquakes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The country also faces political uncertainty\u00a0having not had an elected president since Jovenel Mo\u00efse was assassinated in 2021. It is hoped that elections will be held later this year.<\/p>\n
As Designated Expert, Mr. O\u2019Neil\u2019s role is to monitor human rights developments in Haiti and advise the Government of Haiti, national human rights institutions and civil society organizations, including women\u2019s rights groups, to assist in their efforts to ensure respect for \u2013 and the promotion and protection of \u2013 human rights.<\/p>\n
He told UN correspondents that he remains \u201cdeeply concerned about corruption, impunity and the weakness of accountability mechanisms,\u201d and added that the country is facing \u201ca difficult yet promising moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we can help Haiti address insecurity, fight corruption and impunity, and protect human rights, then everyone will prosper.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/global.unitednations.entermediadb.net\/assets\/mediadb\/services\/module\/asset\/downloads\/preset\/Collections\/Embargoed\/16-03-2026_UN_Haiti_Pelissier.jpg\/image1170x530cropped.jpg\")
<\/p>\n