Amnesty International Reports Alarming Recruitment of Children by Gangs in Haiti

In a troubling report released on Wednesday, Amnesty International highlighted the disturbing trend of gang recruitment of children in Haiti, where young individuals are increasingly targeted for violence and sexual assault amid ongoing civil unrest in the Caribbean nation, Al Jazeera reports.

The report estimates that over one million children reside in areas either controlled by or under the influence of armed gangs, characterizing the offenses committed against these youths as “human rights abuses.” The current political landscape in Haiti is dire, with no president or parliament in place; governance is primarily managed by a transitional body that faces significant challenges, including rampant gang violence and widespread poverty. According to United Nations statistics, the death toll from gang-related violence in Haiti surpassed 5,600 last year, marking an increase of approximately one thousand deaths compared to 2023.

Amnesty’s findings echo earlier concerns raised by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which reported in November that gang recruitment of children in Haiti surged by 70 percent. Furthermore, it is estimated that between 30 to 50 percent of gang members in the nation are children.

The report details the plight of 14 Haitian children recruited by gangs for various tasks, including spying on rival factions and law enforcement, as well as performing logistical duties such as making deliveries or repairing vehicles. The report underscores the grave consequences for those who resist gang orders; threats of violence against the children and their families are prevalent.

Girls in Haiti represent a particularly vulnerable demographic, often falling victim to abduction, rape, and other forms of sexual violence during gang attacks, Amnesty International noted. The organization also condemned the targeting of educational institutions and healthcare facilities, alongside the obstruction of humanitarian aid, which constitutes serious violations impacting children.