The New England Human Rights Organization (NEHRO), an international organization defending and promoting human rights, is shocked by the deteriorating security situation in Haiti.

The NEHO recalls that "For weeks now, disadvantaged neighborhoods have fallen prey to indiscriminate violence that comes from heavily armed individuals and even terrorizes those whose mission is to protect and serve. These bandits, without worrying about the presence of the police force, literally occupy certain areas of the country, steal, kill, violate, divert trucks of goods, which is not without consequences on the economy of the country."

The Organization notes and underlines that "[...] the Police, as well as the Government in place behave like surface observers and wash their hands. The multiplication of acts of violence proves one more than the National Police is outdated and that the population is left to itself."

In addition, the NEHRO denounces "the behavior of certain elected officials, who obstruct the police and justice by protecting the bandits," concluding "[...] Haiti needs stability to attract investment, to promote economic growth. All sectors of national life are dependent on conditions of serenity and security. The Organization calls on the actors to speed up the disarmament process, to work for the restoration of peace and security in the country and to put in harm's way the bandits who are in the pay of certain authorities of the country to terrorize the Haitian families. Security must be a state affair and not a political tool."

IH/ iciHaiti