Haitian gang crisis: Leading human rights expert criticizes hospital attacks

William O’Neill, who reports to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, highlights the attack on Bernard Mevs Hospital in Port-au-Prince on December 17 and the killing of several journalists and an officer police at General Hospital on December 24. .

The victims were attending the hospital’s official opening ceremony.

“Criminal groups do Doctors, nurses and medical staff were murdered and kidnappedincluding humanitarian workers,” Mr. O’Neill said in a statement, adding that the gangs had “arson, ransacking and destruction of many hospitals and clinics, forcing many hospitals to close or suspend operations”.

According to rights experts, only 37% of health facilities in Port-au-Prince are fully functional.

‘Precarious conditions’

They remain difficult to reach, Mr. O’Neill emphasized, because unchecked gang violence in the capital puts millions of Haitians at risk.

He emphasized “constantly threatening to attack medical facilities” and cited reports that police officers were also believed to be involved.

“The people of Haiti – including hundreds of thousands of children living in very precarious conditions – are once again paying a high price for this violence as their right to health is severely hampered,” he lamented. ”, he lamented and expressed concern about the spread of diseases such as cholera and tuberculosis.

Journalists were attacked

December 24 attack also highlighted the dangers faced by journalists in Haiti, with many being killed or having to flee the country due to death threats..

Mr. O’Neill called on the international community to support the Haitian government in combating insecurity and ensuring the right to health.

“I call on the international community to do everything possible to help the Haitian authorities combat widespread insecurity and ensure the realization of the right to health, including unhindered access to health care,” he said. medical facilities, goods and services”.

He also emphasized the need for the State to investigate and bring those responsible for the attacks to justice.