Innocents dying in Haiti, while Government remains dysfunctional

By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer

#Haiti, April 12, 2022 – At least 20 Haitian citizens including children are dead and thousands are on the run displaced by gang violence.

The gang situation heightened following the assassination of Haitian President, Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. The situation, especially in the north of the capital Port-au-Prince, has worsened and at least a dozen homes have been burned and several hundred people are now sheltering in a park without food and other essentials supplies.

The Citizen Protection Office, an independent organization released a statement regarding the turmoil: “The Citizen Protection Office (OPC), expresses its deep concern following the deterioration of the security climate in the Plaine du Cul de Sac and its surrounding localities. This situation, which has worsened due to bloody clashes between rival gangs, has led to the forced displacement of many families who have had to leave their homes to escape the fury of armed bandits”

The organization criticized the Government’s inaction as it says bandits are operating uninterrupted by the highest state authorities.

“The OPC condemns the inaction or silence of the current leaders which reflects, in many respects, a form of cynicism or contempt for human rights, particularly the right to life and security.”

The statement also referenced the killings of innocent people including students.

“This situation of violence continues to generate cases of spectacular assassinations, the latest of which is that of a medical student, Osny Zidor, killed on Saturday, April 23 at Bois Verna while she was on board a public transport bus.”

In parting, the statement demanded that the Haitian Government authorities “assume their legal responsibilities to protect the lives and property of citizens.”