Gang violence kills over 2,300 in Haiti this year as UN chief plans solidarity visit

The human toll

Speaking at the opening of the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk gave a devastating account of gang violence in Haiti. At least 2,300 people have been killed since the start of the year, with an additional 1,100 injured and 99 kidnappings recorded. Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, has been plagued for years by armed gangs that commit murders, rapes, lootings and abductions with impunity.

“In Haiti, gang violence has resulted in at least 2,300 deaths, 1,100 injuries and 99 kidnappings since the start of the year.”

International response

Türk urged Haitian authorities to move quickly to establish judicial units capable of fighting the entrenched culture of impunity. He stressed that the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), mandated by the Security Council, is urgently needed and must operate in full compliance with international human rights law.

“I urge the authorities to move quickly on the judicial units to tackle impunity. The Gang Suppression Force (GSF) is urgently needed and needs to operate in line with international human rights law.”

The new international force

The Security Council decided in September 2025 to replace the under-equipped Multinational Mission to Support the Haitian Police (MMAS) with the GSF, authorising a ceiling of up to 5,500 uniformed personnel, including both police and military troops. The last contingent of Kenyan police serving under the previous Kenya-led mission withdrew at the end of April. A phased deployment of the new force will begin in the coming months, eventually including 1,500 Chadian soldiers. Special Representative Jack Christofides, appointed by the United States-led group of partner countries, briefed the Council on the deployment plan on 23 April.

Solidarity visit

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to travel to Haiti on Tuesday 16 June, a day after Türk's address. Spokesman Farhan Haq described the trip as a gesture of solidarity with victims of the violence.

“This will be a solidarity visit, during which he will meet men, women and children whose lives have been affected by violence.”