CCTV News quoted Haiti as saying on February 8, local time, that at least 6 people have been killed and more than 10 injured in the demonstrations that broke out in Haiti on the 7th. The fatalities included one member of the National Police and five members of the civil society.
The demonstration was sparked by popular demands from Prime Minister Henry to follow the agreement. However, in a subsequent public address to the nation, Henry said he could not resign as prime minister now, calling on the population to remain calm.
The increase in violence during the demonstrations is another reflection of Haiti's long-standing violence. Haiti experienced its worst violence in more than two years in January this year, with escalating gang violence having disastrous consequences for Haitians, the United Nations said on February 9.
Haitian Prime Minister Henri did not step down on the agreed date.
Since February 5, demonstrations have erupted in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, and many places across the country, with some people blocking roads with tree branches, dilapidated cars and burning tires, some attacking businesses and buildings, clashing with those who used tear gas to disperse crowds, and some local gangs taking the opportunity to make trouble, burning and looting shops and ......
The country was taken hostage by gangs. We can't eat and we can't send our children to school. A prominent demonstrator said in an interview with **.
The demonstrations continued for several days, and violence erupted from time to time. As a result, life in many cities in Haiti has been paralyzed. According to reports, at least 1,000 local schools have been suspended, and some banks, ** institutions and private enterprises have suspended services. According to a report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Haiti is in chaos and vital humanitarian assistance has been curtailed. At the same time, food** has soared by more than 20% in some parts of Haiti due to the ongoing lockdown.
On July 7, 2021 local time, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Haiti's ** Moïse was attacked and killed in a private apartment. The picture shows a house full of bullet marks. Figure ic photo
The protests erupted when the Haitian public felt that Henry had failed to comply with the agreement**. Following the assassination of Haitian ** Moïse in 2021, Henry was supposed to hold elections in 2023 and step down on February 7, 2024, handing over power to the elected one, according to an agreement reached in December 2022.
But 2023 has passed, and Henry has not held an election. According to reports, Henry believes that the level of gang violence in Haiti is worsening and that it is not possible to ensure free and fair elections. February 7, 2024 has also passed, but Henry has not**. As a result, thousands of Haitians took to the streets to express their displeasure with Prime Minister Henry.
Henry said the elections would be held when the security situation improved.
Henry broke his silence on 8 February. In a public address to the nation on the same day, Henry reportedly said he could not resign as prime minister and called on the population to remain calm and that elections would be held after the security situation improved.
I think it's time for all of us to come together to save Haiti and work in the country in a different way. "Henry said. He urged Haitians not to see ** or the Haitian National Police as adversaries, those who chose violence, destruction and killing to seize power"It is not in the interest of the Haitian people"。
Henry's speech was not effective in calming the demonstrators. Demonstrators, reportedly angry and frustrated by rising gang violence in Haiti, rising poverty, and the looming future, will continue to demonstrate until Henry steps down as prime minister.
Jean-Robert Simon is a high school math teacher in Haiti. In his opinion, Henry's speech did not announce his resignation, which angered many Haitians.
For me, the whole speech was propaganda. He said gang violence had worsened, preventing his two children from attending school, while Henry was delaying the event.
Haiti experienced its worst violence in more than two years in January.
Located in the northern Caribbean, Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world, plagued by violent crime and natural disasters for many years. According to Xinhua News Agency, on July 7, 2021, the assassination of then-** Jovenel Moïse left a power vacuum, gangs became more rampant, and kidnappings, **and** crimes surged.
The recent demonstrations, which have resulted in many deaths and injuries, have raised fears that the violence will escalate tensions in Haiti. Foreign media reports, citing data from the United Nations, have caused nearly 31 incidents in Haiti40,000** from the lost place.
On February 9, local time, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Türk warned that the already grim human rights situation in Haiti has further deteriorated, and the increasing gang violence has brought disastrous consequences to Haitians.
According to the official website of the United Nations, Haiti experienced its worst violence in more than two years in January. At least 806 people were killed, injured or abducted in Haiti in January. In addition, about 300 gang members were killed or injured, bringing the total number affected by the violence to 1,108, more than double the figure recorded in January 2023.
Behind the data, gang violence is affecting all communities in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, as gang members continue to clash over control of the territory and escalate their activities outside the capital. Against the backdrop of widespread violence, at least 24 towns and cities across Haiti have seen street demonstrations and civil unrest in recent weeks.
Türk concluded by reiterating that, while improving the security situation is a prerequisite for breaking the cycle of crisis in Haiti, long-term stability can be achieved only if the root causes of poverty, social and economic discrimination and corruption are addressed.
Reporter |Zhu Yuehong.
Edit |Liu Mengjie.