UN Human Rights Council 63: UK Statement on the Interactive Dialogue on Haiti
UK Statement on the Interactive Dialogue on Haiti. Delivered by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.
Mr Vice-President,
The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned by the worsening human rights situation in Haiti. Recent reporting from the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) points to a continued escalation in violence. Between April and June of this year, 1,408 people were killed and 656 injured.
Women and children remain among the most vulnerable. In 2025, BINUH recorded 796 victims of gang-related rape. The UN also verified 2,088 grave violations against children, including the recruitment of 892 children by armed groups.
These figures demand urgent action on protection and accountability. Children associated with gangs must be treated as victims, not perpetrators.
Effective disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration (DDR) is essential. It must provide safe pathways out of gangs, psychosocial support, education, and sustainable reintegration into communities. While those responsible for grave violations must be held accountable.
The UK is supporting this work with $7.5 million to the Human Rights Compliance Mechanism for the Gang Suppression Force, which will be delivered by the Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Mr O’Neill,
What concrete steps can the Government of Haiti take to resource and implement DDR nationwide, and deliver the safe release and reintegration of children associated with armed groups?