The UN expert on human rights in Haiti, William O’Neill, has strongly condemned the recent attacks on hospitals, clinics, and healthcare workers carried out by armed gangs, which have pushed these facilities to the brink of collapse. In a statement issued on Friday, O’Neill referenced an attack on December 17 at the Bernard Mevs Hospital in Port-au-Prince, as well as the murder of several journalists and a police officer at the General Hospital on December 24.
“Criminal gangs have killed and kidnapped doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers, including humanitarian workers,” O’Neill said. He added that numerous gangs have burned, looted, and destroyed health infrastructure, causing a wave of closures and suspensions of operations in the healthcare sector.
The official highlighted that only 37% of health facilities in Port-au-Prince are fully operational, due to the rampant violence that hinders access to these essential services and jeopardizes the lives of millions of Haitians. According to O’Neill, the situation has led to the suffering of the population, including hundreds of thousands of girls and boys who survive in extremely precarious conditions, severely hindering their right to health. He also expressed concern about the spread of diseases such as cholera and tuberculosis in this critical context.
O’Neill also emphasized the danger facing journalists in Haiti, citing the December 24 attacks as a clear example of a hostile environment for media professionals. Many journalists have lost their lives or been forced to leave the country due to death threats.
In light of this alarming situation, O’Neill called on the international community to support Haiti in its fight against insecurity and to ensure the right to health. He urged collaboration with Haitian authorities in combating the violence plaguing the country, as well as demanding investigations and justice for those responsible for these attacks.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
