Allegations Against Haiti’s Security Forces
Haiti’s security forces, mainly composed of Kenyan police and military, are facing accusations of sexual exploitation and abuse, with four claims confirmed as valid by UN investigators.
A report detailing the investigation, dated February 16, was obtained by Haitian news outlet AyiboPost, highlighting this troubling revelation.
A spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) distanced the UN from the troops’ actions, stating that while the UN requested the deployment to Haiti, they did not manage or oversee the forces. This raises questions about accountability for the troops’ behavior.
Marta Hurtado Gómez from OHCHR emphasized that it’s up to the investigation teams and relevant states to take necessary actions against those responsible, support victims, and ensure justice is accessible.
AyiboPost noted that these violations reflect a broader trend of “long-standing impunity” surrounding UN forces. They mentioned that past missions have held some peacekeepers accountable for similar misconduct in Haiti.
The report allegedly reviewed by AyiboPost consists of numerous complaints of sexual abuse against UN personnel worldwide, punctuated with claims of the UN’s decisive actions against such issues.
On page 13 of this 15-page document, the UN stated it “received four allegations” of misconduct involving personnel from the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti.
Each incident was confirmed by OHCHR investigators and referred for further investigation and remediation.
Fritznel Pierre, part of the mission’s steering committee, mentioned that one allegation involved a Haitian girl and a mission member, though details remained scarce, and AyiboPost couldn’t find additional complaints.
Miami Herald reported that one of the victims is a 12-year-old girl, alongside two 16-year-olds and one 18-year-old.
The investigation files all show “pending” under “Actions taken,” without any specifics on what that entails.
William O’Neill, the UN’s independent human rights expert in Haiti, remarked that four cases of abuse are excessive and called for thorough, independent investigations, underscoring the need for justice and transparency.
Efforts were made to reach the Kenyan commander in Haiti, Godfrey Otunge, along with MSS spokesperson Jack Mbaka, but there were no responses to inquiries.
The current MSS is transitioning out of Haiti, being replaced by a new “gang control force” requested by the Haitian government and sanctioned by the UN Security Council, with support from the U.S. The first squad consists of Chadian soldiers.
This new deployment is reportedly better equipped and poses a more serious threat than the Kenyan police, operating independently from the Haitian National Police.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, mentioned that the UN’s assistance office in Haiti would supply housing, medical support, and various essential services for the anti-gang units.
Additionally, two helicopters will be deployed to help with transportation between Port-au-Prince and Santo Domingo. A small office will also assist logistical needs for UN agencies in Haiti.
In recent days, violence in central Haiti has surged, with the Grand Grif gang, labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department, reportedly attacking thousands of residents. The death toll stands around 80, according to Miami Herald.
