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Haitian Gangs Escalate Child Recruitment Amidst Humanitarian Crisis

Children in Haiti are increasingly being forced into gang activities as the country's institutions collapse, with minors making up a significant portion of gang members.

Children accompany armed gang members in a march organised by former police officer Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, leader of an alliance of armed groups, in the Delmas neighbourhood, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, May 10, 2024/REUTERS/Pedro Valtierra Anza/File Photo
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Overview

  • Haitian gangs are recruiting children as young as six, using them as soldiers and sex slaves, as reported by Human Rights Watch.
  • An estimated 30% of gang members are minors, driven by hunger and poverty to join criminal groups for food and shelter.
  • Girls are subjected to sexual abuse and forced labor, often discarded after becoming pregnant, highlighting severe gender-based violence.
  • The United Nations has deployed a multinational security force to support Haiti's police, but gang control remains pervasive, especially in Port-au-Prince.
  • Efforts to address the crisis include calls for better protection, education, and reintegration programs for affected children.