Amnesty International Exposes Horrific Toll of Gang Violence on Haitian Children

Amnesty International published a report Wednesday showing that Haitian children have become increasingly involved in gang-related violence. They are forced to carry weapons, spy on rival gangs and police, or even run errands for gunmen.

Of the 51 children interviewed, one said he was constantly under pressure from a group. They murdered people in front of me and asked that I burn their bodies. The boy who has not been identified said, “But I do not want to do this.”

UNICEF estimates between 30 and 50% of today’s gang members are children.

Amnesty International said that the children had “little choice” and were involved primarily out of “fear or starvation.” Nearly 2,000,000 people in Haiti face the threat of starvation. Over 1 million children are living in areas under the control of gangs. 85% of Port-au-Prince falls under their control.

One unidentified boy, 16, said he’s paid to run errands for a gang. “The gangs have taken control,” He said, “There’s nothing you can do.”

The report states that if children refuse to obey the orders of gangs, they or their families will be killed. The research was based on 112 interviews that were conducted between May and October last year.

Amnesty International warns that vigilantes and police officers who believe they are working with gangs can also pose a threat to children. Girls and young women also have been collectively raped by gang members and infected with sexually transmitted diseases, often ending up pregnant in a country where health care is extremely limited.

Six men sexually abused one teenager, while the sister of that teen was raped by five men. In an interview with the younger sister, who was not named, she said: “There was so much blood.”

A teen described how she attempted to commit suicide by drinking bleach, after giving birth and being raped in public. She said: “People found me on the street. They put a dress on me. “

Amnesty International reports that many people interviewed “scoffed at” the idea of reporting an attack to the authorities. “Are you kidding me?” said the 16-year-old girl who was raped by gang members. “It’s impossible…There is no police…The only ones in charge of the city are gang members. “

Violence has also led to injuries and death.

In September 2024, a 14-year-old girl described how the bullet that went through her mouth pierced her lip. Her brother, aged 17, had died three months earlier after being hit by a stray bullet. “I’ve lost a huge presence in my life. I haven’t known what to do since then,” the girl said.

Children with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to violence.

Amnesty International called on the Haitian government to improve support for children and restore education. It also urged them to reinstate mental health services, as well as to resume court cases in cases of children suspected to have ties to gangs, but who were held without charge.

According to the report, more resources are required, such as training and security measures, to help reintegrate children back into society.

The report said, “The international communities cannot continue to make empty promises.” The report stated that the country required immediate and sustained financial, technical, and other assistance to prevent a repeat cycle of violence by gangs.

According to the U.N. in 2023 there were more than 5,600 reported deaths.

Haiti’s National Police have a shortage of funds and personnel. The mission is led by Kenyan police and supported by the U.N. Both funding and personnel are lacking. The U.S. and other countries have been pushing to make it a U.N. Peacekeeping Mission.