Haiti Gang Conducts Weekend Massacre, UN Says Death Toll This Year Reaches 5,000 People

Haiti. (Wikimedia Commons/US Navy/Chief Mass Communication Specialist James G. Pinsky)

JAKARTA - The death toll from violence in Haiti has increased to 5,000 people so far this year, as the United Nations is concerned about the massacres that took place in the country's slum areas over the weekend.

The National Human Rights Defenders Network (RNDDH) said on Sunday, at least 110 people died over the weekend in the slum area of Cite Soleil, Haiti, when a gang leader targeted parents who he suspected caused his child's illness through witchcraft.

The leader of the Wharf Jeremie gang, Monel "Mikano" Felix ordered the massacre after his son fell ill, RNDDH said, saying he sought advice from a Voodoo priest who accused parents in the area of hurting their children through witchcraft.

Haiti's Prime Minister's Office said the death toll was about 180 people, ensuring the government would hunt down those responsible for the events of which the majority of the victims were parents.

Meanwhile, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General, said the number of deaths this weekend was at least 184, including 127 elderly people.

"The Secretary-General reiterated his urgent call to Member States to provide the Multinational Security Support mission needed to assist the Haiti National Police with success," he said.

"The Secretary-General appealed to Haitian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the perpetrators of these human rights violations and all other violations are brought to justice," he explained.

A White House security spokesman voiced calls for urgent international support for a multinational security support mission and said the United States was "surprised."

Dujarric also called for the acceleration of the political transition in Haiti. Haiti's transitional government says it plans to hold long-awaited elections by 2025, provided there is sufficient security for a free and fair vote.

However, the security situation continues to worsen, and many countries have not fulfilled promises of support.

Separately, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk urged countries to step up efforts to stop arms trafficking to Haiti.

The United Nations estimates that the increasingly modern gang armaments are mostly smuggled from the United States.

"This latest murder brings the death toll this year in Haiti to 5,000," he said.