Gang violence in Haiti has claimed the lives of at least 2,300 people since the beginning of the year, according to the United Nations(UN), which has raised fresh concerns over the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the Caribbean nation.
Addressing the opening session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk revealed the alarming toll of the ongoing violence, which has also left more than 1,100 people injured and resulted in 99 kidnappings in the first half of 2026.
Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, has long struggled with political instability, weak state institutions and widespread criminal activity. However, the security crisis has intensified dramatically in recent years as heavily armed gangs continue to expand their control over large parts of the country, particularly in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince.
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“In Haiti, gang violence has resulted in at least 2,300 deaths, 1,100 injuries and 99 kidnappings since the start of the year,” Türk told delegates. He urged Haitian authorities to take decisive action to address the culture of impunity that has fuelled the crisis.
“I urge the authorities to move quickly on the judicial units to tackle impunity,” he said. “The Gang Suppression Force (GSF) is urgently needed and must operate in line with international human rights law.”
The Gang Suppression Force was authorised by the UN Security Council last year as part of international efforts to restore stability in Haiti. The force is expected to gradually replace the Multinational Mission to Support the Haitian Police (MMAS), which faced criticism for being under-resourced and lacking adequate funding to confront the scale of the gang threat.
The Security Council approved the creation of the GSF in September 2025 following strong support from the United States and other international partners. An initial deployment plan has already been endorsed, allowing for a phased deployment of up to 5,500 military and police personnel, in line with the mandate authorised by the council.
The latest figures underscore the severe human rights challenges facing Haiti, where armed groups have been accused of carrying out killings, sexual violence, looting and kidnappings with little accountability.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres is expected to travel to Haiti on Tuesday in a show of solidarity with victims of the violence. According to UN spokesman Farhan Haq, the visit will focus on meeting individuals and families whose lives have been devastated by the worsening security crisis.
“This will be a solidarity visit, during which he will meet men, women and children whose lives have been affected by violence,” Haq told reporters last week.
The UN Human Rights Council’s 62nd session, which began on Monday, will continue until 7 July and is expected to examine a range of global human rights concerns, including the escalating crisis in Haiti.
As violence continues to grip the nation, humanitarian organisations and international partners are warning that urgent and coordinated action is required to prevent further loss of life and restore stability to the troubled country.
