Caribbean News

Haiti: Türk warns of deepening human rights crisis following most violent month in two years

Published

3 months ago

February 9, 2024

#Haiti, GENEVA (9 February 2024) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Friday issued an urgent warning about the deepening human rights catastrophe in Haiti, after figures showed that January was the most violent month in more than two years.

“The already dire human rights situation has deteriorated even further, amid unrelenting and expanding gang violence, with disastrous consequences for Haitians,” said Türk.

At least 806 people, not involved in the violent exchanges taking place, were killed, injured, or kidnapped in January 2024. In addition, some 300 gang members were killed or injured, bringing the total number of people affected to 1,108 – more than three times the number recorded in January 2023.

Gang violence is affecting all communes in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, as gang members continue to clash for control of territory and have escalated their activities in areas outside the capital. The intensity of clashes which, in some cases, have lasted several hours, may indicate that some gangs have recently received new ammunition.

People in areas controlled by gangs have been targeted directly. Gangs also continue to use sexual violence against women and girls as a weapon, and spread fear by sharing on local social media gruesome photos and videos of killed individuals and women being raped.

The impact of this torrent of violence on children continues to be of particular concern. In 2023, 167 children were killed and injured by bullets. Some were executed by gangs or so-called “self-defence” groups for their suspected support for rivals. The recruitment of children into gangs remained extremely worrisome.

In this context of widespread violence, in recent weeks there have been anti-government street protests and civil unrest, supported by opposition political parties, in at least 24 towns across the country, including the capital. Schools, public services, and local businesses have been forced to close.

Recently, armed elements have emerged, including some members of the so-called “Protected Areas Security Brigade” (in French, Brigade de Sécurité des Aires Protégées or BSAP), an informal entity established several years ago by a body in charge of environmental issues.

While some protests have turned violent, with public and private buildings ransacked, there are also persistent concerns about the unnecessary and disproportionate use of force by law enforcement.

Between 20 January and 7 February, at least 16 people were killed and 29 injured mainly in the context of confrontations between protesters and police.

Police officers must always abide by the principles of lawfulness, necessity and proportionality when managing protests, in accordance with human rights norms and standards, and protesters must express their grievances peacefully, the UN Human Rights Chief noted.

“Every day that passes, more casualties are being recorded. Now, more than ever, Haitian lives depend on the deployment, with no further delay, of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti (MSS), to support the National Police and bring security to the Haitian population, under conditions that comply with international human rights norms and standards,” he said.

In addition to the need to improve the security situation, it is also essential to note the impact of this new wave of violence on Haiti’s economy, and spreading food insecurity. High inflation due to extortion and road blockades have left millions of Haitians deprived of basic commodities. More than 313,000 people have been forced to flee their homes. Many have sought refuge in crammed and unsanitary sites, which affects their ability to access health and education services.

“As I have said time and again, while improvement of the security situation is the prerequisite to breaking the cycle of crises in Haiti, long-term stability will only be achieved through tackling the root causes of poverty, social and economic discrimination and corruption,” Türk stressed.

Caribbean News

FCCA launches Owen Arthur Scholarship

Published

15 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

By: The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter

May 9, 2024 – The FCCA Foundation, the charitable arm of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), has launched an annual scholarship in honor of former Prime Minister of Barbados, The Right Honorable Professor Owen Seymour Arthur, who played a significant role in advancing the cruise trade association’s vision.

The annual gift of US$25,000 will be awarded to a different Caribbean destination each year to support the work of either an educational institution or a nonprofit organization chosen by the destination.

Barbados will receive the inaugural Owen Arthur scholarship, and next year’s scholarship destination winner will be announced at the ‘Shining Stars FCCA Foundation Dinner’ during Seatrade Cruise Global 2025.

“I am honored that the Foundation can continue the legacy of The Right Honorable Professor Owen Seymour Arthur, who truly inspired my career and empowered so many throughout the Caribbean, as well as making it possible to have the current partnership between the cruise industry and the Caribbean,” said Michele Paige, CEO, FCCA. “Hopefully this scholarship can live up to his memory by providing a platform for future generations in the region.”

Caribbean News

Barbados remembers SIDS process, celebrates the life of Ambassador Miles Stoby

Published

16 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

By: The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter

May 9, 2024 – The historic UN Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island States (SIDS) brought global attention to the significant challenges faced by small islands, underscoring that their concerns were big issues for all.

On April 26, several key figures who contributed to the 1994 Barbados meeting gathered in Bridgetown to commemorate its 30th anniversary. The outcome of the 1994 meeting was the Barbados Program of Action, which delineated how the world community should address the unique vulnerabilities of islands, particularly in response to climate change.

Despite initial reluctance from powerful UN members to hold more than one SIDS conference, subsequent gatherings in Mauritius and Samoa and a fourth global conference scheduled for Antigua and Barbuda in May 2024 are a testament to some of the successes of the SIDS process.

In Antigua and Barbuda, the international community will convene to review the sustainable development progress of SIDS and propose a new decade of partnerships and solutions to accelerate their journey toward resilient prosperity.

The Barbados meeting last month provided a reflective journey for many, as attendees, including Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, paid tribute to the late Ambassador Miles Stoby of Guyana, the visionary behind the initiative and for whom Barbados was, fittingly, a second

Caption: Ambassador Lyutha al Mughairy (widow of Ambassador Miles Stoby) greets Garth Sandiford, son of late Barbados Prime Minister Erskine Sandiford. Looking on are Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and former UN Under-Secretary General Peter Hansen.

Caribbean News

CTO Sustainable Tourism meeting successful

Published

16 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

By: The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter

May 9, 2024 – The Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC), held April 22-24 at Radisson Grenada Beach Resort was a resounding success.

The conference is the Caribbean’s foremost event for high-level networking and dialogue on sustainable tourism, providing a crucial platform for tourism policymakers, private sector stakeholders, thought leaders, and strategic partners to address the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of Caribbean tourism.

The meeting highlighted the essential pillars necessary for creating a transformative and regenerative legacy under the theme “The 5 Ps for a Legacy of Caribbean Tourism Sustainability: People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose & Partnership”.

Thought-provoking addresses from Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell and Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, set the stage for discussions about the future of Caribbean tourism.

PM Mitchell stressed the need to include a broader array of stakeholders in the tourism conversation, while Stewart highlighted the importance of partnerships and unity within the sector. The conference was marked by authentic displays of Grenadian culture and dynamic panel sessions.

Caption: Adam Stewart of Sandals Resorts International delivered the keynote address.

The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter