Human Rights Watch Calls for UN Mission in Haiti

Haiti is facing an escalating crisis characterized by rampant gang violence and humanitarian needs, with over 703,000 people displaced due to attacks since October 2024. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the violence that claimed over 180 lives in a recent weekend and called for accountability for human rights violations. Human Rights Watch has called for the urgent deployment of a United Nations mission to restore security and ensure a human rights-focused response, emphasizing the necessity of safeguarding the rights of Haitians amid escalating violence. The current Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission has struggled to operate effectively, prompting calls for a new UN intervention to help stabilize the country. Haitians continue to face dire shortages of food, water, and healthcare, exacerbated by recent natural disasters that have worsened the already critical conditions. The humanitarian situation is deteriorating rapidly, and the international community is urged to mobilize resources to address these urgent needs.