In his report, the Secretary-General on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Minustah) reveals statistics on crime and violence in Haiti for the period from September 1, 2015 to March 1, 2016.

During the reporting period the national police and Minustah, indicated 567 reported homicides. In comparison, 486 homicides were registered between 1 March and 31 August 2015 and 538 between 1 September 2014 and 1 March 2015. Nearly 83% of the 567 homicides remained concentrated in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, almost half of which were reportedly gang-related.

In total, 44 kidnappings were registered, compared with 29 between 1 March and 31 August 2015 and 29 between 1 September 2014 and 1 March 2015.

Reported cases of rape totalled 218, indicating greater stability following the 223 cases reported between 1 March and 31 August 2015 and the 220 cases reported between 1 September 2014 and 1 March 2015. The Ministry for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights suggested that the numbers may have been higher owing to underreporting, in particular in Cité Soleil (West Department), where gangs were reportedly the main perpetrators.

In total the number of public protests was 689, of which 275 were reported to have elements of violence ranging from the use of road barricades, destruction of property and throwing of stones, to assaults against police officers and shootings. Those numbers indicate a substantial increase from 399 (of which 151 were violent) during the period from 1 March to 31 August 2015 and a more significant rise from 215 (of which 104 were violent) during the period from 1 September 2014 to 1 March 2015, reflecting the volatility of the current reporting period. The West Department remained the most affected, with 52% (361) of the 689 recorded events, followed by the North Department with 9% and the South Department with 8%.

Protests were generally small-scale; an estimated 84% (576 events) involved fewer than 300 persons. Another 11% (75 events) ranged from 300 to 1,000 persons, while 5% (38 events) involved more than 1,000 protesters. Election-related protests totalled 318 events, representing 46% of the 689 reported protests, surpassing the 136 triggered by socioeconomic grievances.

HL/ HaïtiLibre