UN High Commissioner for Human Rights William O’Neill highlighted the attack on the Bernard Mevs Hospital in Port-au-Prince on December 17th and the killing of several journalists and police officers at the General Hospital on December 24th. did. .
The victims were attending the hospital’s official reopening ceremony.
“Criminal gangs have killed and kidnapped health workers, including doctors, nurses, and humanitarian workers,” O’Neill said in a statement, adding that gangs have “arsoned, looted and destroyed many hospitals and clinics, and It has forced hospitals and clinics to close or shut down,” he added. Their strategy.”
Rights experts say only 37 percent of Port-au-Prince’s medical facilities are fully functional.
“Unstable situation”
O’Neill emphasized that access remains difficult, with unchecked gang violence in the capital putting millions of Haitians at risk.
He highlighted “repeated threats to attack medical facilities” and cited reports that police officers were also allegedly involved.
“The Haitian people, including hundreds of thousands of children living in extremely precarious conditions, are once again paying the high price of this violence, with their right to health severely hampered,” he lamented, adding that they are suffering from cholera and infections. They expressed concern about the spread of diseases such as COVID-19. tuberculosis.
Journalist under attack
The Dec. 24 attack also highlights the dangers faced by Haitian journalists, with many killed or forced to flee the country due to death threats.
Mr. O’Neill called on the international community to support Haitian authorities in combating insecurity and ensuring the right to health.
“I urge the international community to do everything possible to assist the Haitian authorities in combating the prevailing security situation and ensuring the realization of the right to health, including unimpeded access to medical facilities, goods and services. I ask you to do something.”
He also stressed the need for the state to investigate and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.
William O’Neill (right) speaks with a Haitian police officer in Port-au-Prince during a visit to Haiti in October 2023.
