More than 530 people have been murdered in gang violence in Haiti this year, according to the United Nations, with many of them killed by snipers shooting at random.
The UN human rights agency expressed concern that extreme gang violence in Haiti was out of control.
“Clashes between gangs are becoming more violent and frequent as they try to expand their territorial control throughout the capital and other regions by targeting people who live in areas controlled by rivals,” said Marta Hurtado, a spokesperson for the police.
Up to March 15, “531 people were killed, 300 were injured, and 277 were kidnapped in gang-related incidents, primarily in the capital, Port-au-Prince,” she told reporters in Geneva.
According to her, gang battles killed at least 208 people, injured 164 others, and kidnapped 101 others in the first two weeks of March.
“The majority of the victims were killed or injured by snipers who reportedly shot at people in their homes or on the streets,” Hurtado said.
Students and teachers have been struck by stray bullets, and kidnappings of parents and students near schools have increased, causing many to close.
Without the protective school environment, “many children have been forcibly recruited by armed gangs”, Hurtado said.
As of mid-March, at least 160,000 people have also been displaced, she added.