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NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned that “thousands” of children in Haiti, pushed him hunger and povertylet’s join criminal groups who strengthened their power for several years after the murder Jovenel Moyse, creating one of the worst political and humanitarian crisis in the northern hemisphere.

“There is little chance of survivalmany Boys and girls in Haiti are attracted to criminal gangs. where they are involved in illegal activities and face serious risks,” he explained. Natalie CotrinoResponsible for the Conflict and Crisis Department HRV.

Criminal gangs control nearly 80 percent of Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince and the surrounding region. About 2.7 million people live under their control. An estimated 30 percent of gang members are children.

Read @astroehleinDaily Recap: https://t.co/9Ptg7wM1eF pic.twitter.com/2mEnz8c5bk

— Human Rights Watch (@hrw) October 9, 2024

Kotrino noted that for keep minors off the streets and away from these groupsthe transitional government should focus on living conditions of childrencontributing access to basic necessities, protection, education and legal opportunitiess for their reintegration and rehabilitation.

For his part, hecriminal groupswhich prevail nearby 80 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince.as they spread to other areas, they are increasingly turning to children thanks to the response of the Haitian authorities in cooperation with International Security Mission led by Kenya.

While waiting for official figures, some sources claim that they already represent 30 percent of groups. Mainly children involved extortion or robbery, but also in other more serious crimes How murders and kidnappings, while Girls are especially at risk of sexual violence.

Forced recruitment of minors
HRW had the opportunity to interview fifteen minors living in gang controlled communities. They all agree that hunger and fear of reprisals are the main reasons that motivate many to join these groups.

Mathis, A 14-year-old orphan with a younger brother in his care recalls that after joining a criminal organization, he They gave him $9 and offered him a job.

I joined a gang because I had nothing. I never went to school… I was on the street, hungry, without a place to sleep, without clothes, without anything.

Some of the minors They can receive up to $150 per month.according to you participation and the work they dothus becoming in many cases the only ones able to contribute to their families’ meager resources.

Quentin says that he the money you earn “Running errands, washing cars, buying food and carrying weapons for the group” He gives him home to his mother so she can take care of his younger sisters. and avoid it The two of them suffered the same fate as the girls from their gang.

Children study in handling weapons and communications equipment. When they’re not reloading their weapons during police encounters, they serve ‘antennas’, informants, criminals warn about the presence of security forces or facilitate robberies.

Although girls also receive this training, the division of tasks remains highly gendered. So, They are busy with household chores in houses where gang leaders live, who sometimes also they sexually abuse them in front of the rest of the group.

“I often ran errands or cooked for the group.” check Marie, pregnant 16 year old teenager who became part of a gang “Big Gorge” that at the same time from “5 seconds” These are two of those who were most active in forced recruitment of minors.

Humanitarian workers reported that episodes in which teenagers arrive fleeing these groups after passing been subjected to violence for a long time, or from families who had to give up their children “in exchange for protection.”

Humanitarian situation

As a result security crisisthey already 125 thousand children in Haiti suffer from severe acute malnutrition, Bye three million half of those living in the country They need humanitarian assistance.

The healthcare system is on the verge of collapseor, HRW warns, while minors and their families lack access to the most basic services. Violence and robbery called only in the capital the closure of almost a thousand schools, spaces in which some 160 thousand children received their only food for the day.

Since January 2024, more than 900 schools in Haiti have closed due to violence affecting more than 300,000 children and adolescents.

This is how UNICEF works to support the right to education of displaced children.@uniceflachttps://t.co/oc1KOG9Fwl pic.twitter.com/sG4wfdIBJx

— UNICEF in Spanish (@unicefenespanol) October 8, 2024

HRW demand comprehensive plan for all these minors based on Convention on the Rights of the Child and indicates that, despite the obligations United Nations one is still needed a stronger and better coordinated response to this problem.

Thus, the NGO offers mobilize more funds from the international community, improve your capabilitiesHaitian security forcesdemobilization plans and reintegration of children, strengthen the education and health systems and guarantee the right to compensation for victims.

(Europe Press)