MINUJUSTH/Leonora Baumann  /    Fire residues and debris at a protest site in Port-au-Prince in July 2018.  

By  Gary Raynaldo   DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

UNITED  NATIONS  –   NEW  YORK –  Increasing political tensions in Haiti coupled with insecurity and structural inequalities could result in protests followed by violent crackdowns by authorities, the United Nations human rights office (OHCHR) warned on Tuesday.   According to the office, criminal activities, such as kidnappings, gang fights and widespread insecurity have increased, with “almost total” impunity.  Added to the volatile mix is resurging political tensions over the timing and scope of elections and a constitutional referendum proposed by the Government, OHCHR spokesperson Marta Hurtado told journalists at a regular briefing in Geneva. 

“Calls for mass protests have been growing. This in turn raises concerns of renewed human rights violations by security forces during the policing of protests as seen during the months-long protests in 2018 and 2019, as well as during demonstrations in October and November of last year.” 

-OHCHR spokesperson Marta Hurtado

🇭🇹 #Haiti: The authorities should act to avoid repetition of #HumanRights violations and abuses during protests.

Law enforcement officers must abide by international norms and standards regarding the use of force when dealing with protests.

Learn more: https://t.co/ioPjEG75CY pic.twitter.com/eOoZQxJirK

— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) January 19, 2021

According to an OHCHR report on the unrest, protests started relatively peacefully in July 2018 but became increasingly violent over time, with many violations and abuses of the rights to life, security of the person and effective remedy.   In addition, protesters and criminal elements imposed “passage fees”, further impeding the movement of people and goods and exacerbating economic hardship.  “The report shows a pattern of human rights violations and abuses followed by near lack of accountability,” Ms. Hurtado said.