The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) has described the human rights situation in Haiti as “extremely worrying,” reporting a surge in armed violence, human rights abuses, and population displacement during the second quarter of 2025.
According to BINUH, criminal groups have not only maintained their grip on the capital, Port-au-Prince, but have also expanded and intensified attacks in other regions, particularly in the Centre department and Bas Artibonite. While there has been a slight slowdown in their advance into the capital, areas like Kenscoff remain highly volatile.
“Gang attacks in the Artibonite and Centre departments, and in the capital, continue to cause serious human rights violations and exacerbate an already dire humanitarian crisis, leading to massive population displacement with dramatic consequences for women and children in particular,” said Ulrika Richardson, the acting head of BINUH and the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator.
Between April 1 and June 30, 2025, at least 1,520 people were killed and 609 injured due to armed violence. Most of the casualties occurred in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, followed by Artibonite and Centre. The report also documented 185 kidnappings and 628 victims of sexual violence during the same period.
Criminal groups were responsible for over 24 percent of the total casualties, with the UN documenting widespread use of murders, gang rapes, kidnappings, sexual slavery, and child exploitation as tools of control.
The report also raised concerns about the role of security forces, stating that 64 percent of the people killed or injured were affected during operations against criminal groups. More than a third of these casualties resulted from drone strikes using explosives. At least 15 percent of the victims were civilians unaffiliated with gangs, killed or injured in their homes or on the streets. The operations also claimed the lives of four security officers.
BINUH further reported that members of the police and the government commissioner of Miragoâne were allegedly involved in 73 summary executions.
Additionally, 12 percent of the casualties were linked to violence attributed to self-defence groups and civilians involved in the “Bwa Kalé” movement, which targets suspected gang members and collaborators.
The situation has underscored growing concerns about escalating violence and the lack of accountability amid an already fragile security and humanitarian landscape.
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