PORT-AU-PRINCE, March 16 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Some 70 people have been killed during recent gang clashes in Port-au-Prince, the National Network for the Defense of Human Rights condemned and criticized present violence that currently impacts on Haiti.
Pregnant women, children, and elderly citizens are among victims of the armed conflicts among gangs led by Kempes Sanon and Krache Dife on Feb 28. The latter is allegedly founded by Fednel Monchery, former general director of the Interior Ministry.
Krache Dife intended to reconquer Bel Air, a neighborhood in the nearby area of the National Palace, planning an armed attack on the region that Kempes Sanon quickly responded with the support of the Izo and Ti Lapli gangs, the National Network Executive Director Pierre Esperánce stated.
Gangs that extort, kidnap and murder ordinary citizens, state officials, merchants, and many others currently control more than half of Port-au-Prince.
Meanwhile, more than 24,000 Haitians were sent back from neighboring Dominican Republic, as revealed by the Support Group for Returnees and Refugees (GARR) which also condemned systematic violence against migrants.
GARR criticized the situation of migrants facing abuse, forced deportations, inhuman and degrading treatment as well as discrimination and lack of legal protection has worsened in the last five months.
Women and children are the ones affected the most, GARR reported.
In total, 24,428 people were deported to Haiti, including 219 pregnant women and 331 unaccompanied minors.
GARR deplored that, despite seemingly calm at the border in February, questioned Dominican authorities who withdrew the comprehensive bill on human trafficking and smuggling of migrants after pressure from various sectors.
Plus, GARR described the detention conditions as deplorable, and regretted the victims reported recurrent violations of their rights, robberies, as well as violence and sexual aggression. — NNN-PRENSA LATINA