Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Port au Prince (Agenzia Fides) – There is chaos in Haiti. Its capital, Port-au-Prince in particular, has long been held hostage by armed gangs, all involved in criminal activities ranging from extortion to drug trafficking to kidnapping for ransom. The situation is so serious that the United Nations is pressing for the deployment of an international force, with the Security Council recognizing the deteriorating security situation in the country, but unable to agree to form one. Meanwhile, the Haitian population is left alone. Faced with the violence and incompetence of the security forces, Haitians organize themselves into self-defence groups, increasing the risks. "The population does not trust the leaders or the international community. A few months ago, the current government had asked for help from the international community to have an international force to help fight the armed gangs," Father Nestor Fils-Aimé, Canada's provincial superior of the Clerics of Saint Viator (CSV) present on the island, told Fides. "The population was wary because these military interventions - there have been several in the last 30 years - have never produced anything. They never aimed to eradicate banditry in a lasting way. Moreover, some members of the government and agents of the national police have close links with bandits and protect these criminals."
"The situation is unsustainable for everyone. Several churches have had to close their doors - underlines the missionary. There have been kidnappings within the churches themselves (see Fides, 14/3/2023). The Church does not encourage violence and continues to demand better living conditions for all. What is desired and demanded is a genuine demobilization of armed groups, the control of firearms and the establishment of a proper judicial system. If you want lasting peace, these are the conditions”, added Fr. Nestor.
The Viatorian also explained that the recognition and encouragement by Helen Lalime, United Nations representative in Haiti, of the federation of a group of nine armed gangs called 'G9 en famille' further disheartened the population. "It was this international community that installed a government that does not care about popular demands and shows no desire to put an end to armed gangs terrorizing the population. When the government of Ariel Henry, President of Haiti and interim Prime Minister of Haiti since 20 July 2021, called for UN intervention, the population saw it as a way to protect its unpopular government and to be able to organize elections in favour of Michel Marthély's group, President of the Republic of Haiti from 14 May 2011 to 7 February 2016, the PHTK (Parti Haïtien Tèt Kale) (Haitian Party of the Shaved Head), an acronym which is a mixture of French and Haitian Creole.”
"So far - concludes Father Nestor - the international community had never given a serious response to the Haitian government. Amid so much hesitation, no country wanted to lead an international force. It is only when the population has begun to take justice into its own hands and the riots have become threatening even for certain political leaders that the Security Council suddenly speaks of an international force.”
The secretary general of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, had denounced that "the Haitian people remain in the grip of one of the worst human rights crises of recent decades, and of a serious humanitarian emergency". According to a recent United Nations report, in the first three months of 2023 alone, the number of officially reported homicides nationwide increased by 21% compared to the last quarter of the previous year: as many as 815 against 673. The number of kidnappings has also grown, from a total of 391 to 637 (a 63% increase). (NFA/AP) (Agenzia Fides, 22/5/2023)
