By: Staff Writer
November 13, 2026
According to the Human Rights Service (HRS) of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), between 1 July and 30 September 2026, at least 1,167 people were killed and 459 injured as a result of violence perpetrated by gangs, self-defense groups and non-organized members of the population, as well as during security force operations and actions carried out by personnel of a private military company.
The report also said sexual violence perpetrated by armed gangs continued. During the quarter, the Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Arrangements (MARA) documented 985 rape victims (944 women, 36 girls, three men and two boys), including 344 who were raped during the quarter . Of these 344 victims, the majority (77 percent) were subjected to collective rape. Ninety-six percent of the 344 cases were reported in the West Department.
“The scale of the massacres documented during this period, particularly in Kenscoff and several other localities that had previously been spared, reminds us of the absolute need to strengthen both mechanisms for protecting the population and the presence of the State in recently liberated areas,” said Carlos Ruiz Massieu, special representative of the UN secretary-general in Haiti and head of BINUH.
In an update in September to the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner welcomed the first Gang Suppression Force operations, mandated by the UN Security Council.
These will help boost security in Haiti “but the Force remains far below the strength needed”, Mr. Türk insisted, in support of its “full, accelerated deployment” with human rights safeguards embedded.
At least 5,700 people have been confirmed killed or injured by gangs – or during operations against them – since 1 January, according to the UN human rights office, OHCHR.
Gang members have also kidnapped more than 230 people and raped at least 1,000 women and girls. The real figures are likely much higher, Mr. Türk said.
In his update, the High Commissioner for Human Rights also warned that “extortion, looting and destruction of property” are crippling economic activity in Haiti.
The “constant danger” prevents people from reaching schools, hospitals, and essential services, Mr. Türk stressed.
During the same period of July to September, 2026 at least 137 people were also kidnapped for ransom by gangs , of whom 67 percent were kidnapped in the West Department, 30 percent in the Artibonite Department, 2 percent in the Centre Department and 1 percent in the North Department . Children accounted for 10 percent of kidnapping victims.
Within the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, most gangs maintained their criminal governance in the neighbourhoods under their control.
Moreover, some gang members who had been driven out of certain areas (such as Bel Air, Delmas 4–6 and La Saline) in early 2026 following security force operations managed to gradually return during the reporting period, due to insufficient measures to ensure a sustained state presence.