Published on: 2026-05-22
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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In Haiti, children face an unprecedented level of violence, and the number of cases of recruitment by armed gangs nearly tripled last year. This was stated by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Vanessa Fraser, following her visit to the country.
According to her, more than half of the members of armed groups in Haiti are minors. At the same time, the number of cases of child murders and disappearances continues to grow, and sexual violence is increasingly used as a means of intimidating the population.
“Today, children in Haiti facewith such a level of violence, who should not be worried about by a single child anywhere in the world,” emphasized Fraizer.
This was the first official visit of the Special Representative on the issue of children and armed conflict in Haiti. During the trip, Freizer met with representatives of the government, the UN, civil society, and children affected by violence.
Children live in a permanent state
According to a UN representative, many children in the country live in conditions of continuous violence both at home and beyond its limits.
“Growing up means a daily struggle for survival, constant fear, threats, violence, separation from the family, displacement, and trauma,” the UN stated.
The situation in the area, which is controlled by armed gangs, causes particular concern. Children there are effectively deprived of access to schools, medical care, and basic protective services. According to data obtained by Fraser during the visit, about 18 thousand schools were destroyed, damaged, or ceased operations due to the activities of the armed groups.
Minors in prison
During the trip, the UN representative visited the overcrowded CERMICOL juvenile detention center in Port-au-Prince. About 80 children have been held there for years under harsh conditions without being charged. Many of them are suspected of gang-related activities, but not a single one has appeared in court.
“Most of them do not visit their relatives. They are provided for themselves,” Fraser said.
She emphasized that children detained during security forces operations should primarily be considered victims and be handed over to social services in accordance with the protocol signed in 2024 between the Government of Haiti and the UN.
According to her, it is especially important to adhere to such an approach now, given that on June 1 the operations of the Forces to combat banditry will begin, which by 2025…decision of the UN Security CouncilThe Multinational Mission for the Support of Security in Haiti was transformed. During these operations, hundreds more children may be detained. At the same time, Freizer noted that representatives of the forces assured her that special mechanisms and protocols for the protection of minors are already being developed, and the personnel will undergo training on child protection issues.
Hope for a return to normal life
Fraser also visited centers for the reintegration of minors who left armed gangs. According to the UN representative, the stories of the participants in these programs were “heartbreaking,” but at the same time full of hope.
“They told me that children only have one thing to do: go to school, play, study, and simply be children again,” he said.
Frazier emphasized that the protection of children must become an integral part of efforts to ensure security in Haiti. The UN assured that it will continue cooperation with the country’s authorities and partners to strengthen the protection of minors and provide them with the necessary assistance.
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