Human Rights Watch has issued a warning that boys and girls in Haiti are being recruited into gangs due to extreme poverty, hunger, and a lack of opportunities. These children are forced to commit criminal activities such as extortion, looting, killing, and kidnapping. Girls are also sexually abused and forced into domestic work by gang members. The situation has escalated since February when gangs attacked prisons and state institutions in Port-au-Prince, leading to widespread violence and displacement of over 700,000 people.
The report by HRW highlights the testimonies of children who have been lured into gangs as young as eight years old. Many of these children are orphans or live on the streets, and they are often used as informants, trained in weaponry, and deployed in clashes against the police. Girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse and are sometimes abandoned once they become pregnant. Gang leaders are reported to exploit young girls, with one gang leader demanding a virgin girl every month.
The main reason cited for children joining gangs is severe hunger and the absence of state presence in their communities. With no police to protect them, limited economic opportunities, and a lack of basic necessities, children see no other option but to join criminal groups for survival. It is estimated that about a third of gang members in Haiti are children, and these groups control a significant portion of Port-au-Prince, with plans to expand further.
HRW emphasizes the need for the government and international community to address the root causes of instability in Haiti. This includes providing more resources for security forces, ensuring access to food and education for children, and offering rehabilitation for those recruited into gangs. The report also highlights the increasing use of social media by gangs to attract recruits, with leaders using music videos and other tactics to appeal to vulnerable youth.
Despite Haiti’s request for a multinational police mission to combat gangs, the deployment of this force has been slow. The situation in Haiti remains dire, with children at risk of being exploited and abused by criminal groups. HRW’s report calls for urgent action to protect these vulnerable children and address the root causes that drive them into gangs. It is crucial for both the government and the international community to prioritize the safety and well-being of Haiti’s youth and provide them with the support they need to break free from the cycle of violence and poverty.
