As armed violence continues to deteriorate the situation in Haiti, the United Nations (UN) estimates that between 30 and 50 percent of members of armed groups are children subjected to coercion, abuse and exploitation, it warned over the weekend. the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
It is also estimated that 90 percent of Haiti’s population lives in poverty and three million children continue to need urgent humanitarian aid, amid persistent social, economic and political fragility caused by the violence that has engulfed the country. chaos to some areas of the country.
The agency referenced years of political unrest, which along with devastating economic conditions, have led to the proliferation of armed groups that many of the country’s children are increasingly forced to join, a clear violation of Your rights.
THE CHILDREN OF HAITI ARE TRAPPED IN A CIRCLE OF SUFFERING
“Haiti’s children are trapped in a vicious cycle of suffering. “They are driven to join armed groups out of sheer desperation, which includes horrific violence, poverty and the collapse of the systems that should protect them,” said the organization’s executive director, Catherine Russell.
In turn, he explained that armed groups use children for different tasks, such as cooks, cleaners, “wives” or lookouts. “But what these children have in common is the loss of innocence and connection to their communities. The impact on every child affected is a tragedy that demands urgent action,” Russell added.
The head of the agency also emphasized that priority must be given to their protection and well-being, which includes safely ending their connection with armed groups, ensuring their reintegration into society and facilitating safe access to services and aid. essential.
HALF A MILLION MINORS LIVE IN NEIGHBORHOODS CONTROLLED BY ARMED GROUPS
The latest estimates show that more than half a million children in Haiti live in neighborhoods controlled by armed groups, exposing them to increased risk of violence and child recruitment.
Children are often forced to join armed groups as a means of supporting their families or due to threats against themselves or those close to them, UNICEF warns. Additionally, many children join groups after being separated from their loved ones, as a means of survival and protection.
The recruitment and use of children by armed groups constitutes a serious violation of their rights, and the enlistment of minors of any age in armed groups is a clear violation of international law.
