- Maneskin's Damiano David releases first solo song
- Chinese stocks extend surge, Europe higher on Beijing stimulus
- US returns to Iran latest batch of ancient clay tablets
- Trump to meet Zelensky after tensions over Ukraine war
- US officials warn weakening storm Helene still 'dangerous'
- Afghan embassy in UK shutters after Taliban cuts ties
- 'No ego' before Alonso clash, says Bayern boss Kompany
- French rape trial sparks timid debate about masculinity
- Pope says Church must 'seek forgiveness' for child sexual abuse
- UK watchdog bans Naomi Campbell from running charity over 'misconduct'
- Israel, Hezbollah exchange fire after truce bid fails
- Alcaraz, Medvedev win Beijing openers as Zhang scores big upset
- Bastianini sets record time in Indonesia MotoGP practice
- At least 3,661 killed this year in Haiti violence: UN
- French minister says in favour of adding 'consent' to rape law
- Workers remove Olympic rings from Eiffel Tower -- for now
- China caps week of 'bazooka' stimulus for ailing economy with rate cut
- X says complied with Brazil court orders, should be reinstated: source
- Draper ready to take lead for British tennis
- Cuts, cash, credit: China bids to jumpstart flagging economy
- France's debt weighs heavier ahead of budget debate
- The Hezbollah commanders killed in Israeli strikes
- Shigeru Ishiba: Abe-critic wins Japan top job at last
- Former defence minister Ishiba to be Japan's PM after winning party vote
- Iran treads carefully, backing Hezbollah while avoiding war
- Draper ousts second seed Hurkacz at Japan Open
- EasyJet founder makes life hard for 'brand thieves'
- Return to sender: waste stranded at sea stirs toxic dispute
- 'Broken' news industry faces uncertain future
- On remote Greek island, migratory birds offer climate clues
- Ishiba, Takaichi face off in Japan ruling party vote for next PM
- Taken from mother by nuns, victim seeks answers as pope visits Belgium
- 595th-ranked Zhang stuns US Open semi-finalist Navarro in Beijing
- Cowboys halt skid with victory over Giants
- Indian artisans tackle waste with creative upcycling
- Morbidelli fastest in first Indonesia MotoGP practice
- China cuts amount banks hold in reserve to boost lending
- Hong Kong, Shanghai extend surge as China optimism boosts markets
- Hardline French interior boss stirs controversy just days into job
- Israel defies ceasefire calls ahead of Netanyahu UN address
- France rugby superstar Dupont checks out NFL's Chargers on LA 'vacation'
- Pope to meet sexual abuse victims in Belgium visit
- Gaza war resonates but has global diplomacy shifted one year on?
- Yankees down Orioles to claim 21st division title
- Vietnam president reiterates support for Cuba during official visit
- Madrid return to scene of last defeat for Atletico derby clash
- 'Dangerous' duo Wirtz and Musiala highlight Bayern-Leverkusen showdown
- Springboks rally behind under-fire Libbok before title decider
- Ailing New Zealand butterfly collector gives away life's work
- Mexico's new president takes reins of shaky economy
At least 3,661 killed this year in Haiti violence: UN
More than 3,600 people have been killed this year in the "senseless" gang violence ravaging Haiti, the United Nations said on Friday.
The Western Hemisphere's poorest country has plunged into virtual anarchy, with gangs taking over the capital, Port-au-Prince, and the security and health systems collapsing.
About 600,000 people were displaced in the first six months of 2024 and 1,280 were injured in gang violence, including 295 women and 63 children, the UN rights office (OHCHR) said in a report.
In that period, at least 893 individuals, including 25 children, were kidnapped and held for ransom by criminal groups, who are vying for power in a vacuum left by a political crisis and weak state authority.
"Latest figures documented by the UN Human Rights Office indicate that at least 3,661 people have been killed since January this year, maintaining the high levels of violence seen in 2023," the rights office said.
"No more lives should be lost to this senseless criminality," said Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The OHCHR urged the Haitian authorities and the international community to do more to protect people on the Caribbean island.
It said the gangs had changed their modus operandi this year.
While some victims were struck by random gunfire, others were executed in broad daylight for allegedly informing the authorities or opposing gang activities.
- Fear and subjugation -
"Some of those victims had their bodies mutilated with machetes and then burned.
"Gangs filmed the scenes and shared them widely on social media to instil fear and control the population," the report said.
The report said gangs had continued to use sexual violence "to punish, spread fear and subjugate populations".
It said that at least 860 people were killed and 393 injured during police operations and patrols across Port-au-Prince, including at least 36 children, in what could constitute use of unnecessary and disproportionate force.
The gangs have also recruited large numbers of children into their ranks, it added.
An estimated 1.6 million people in Haiti face emergency-level food insecurity.
In October 2023, the UN Security Council gave the green light to send a multinational stabilisation force, led by Kenya, to assist the Haitian police.
Kenyan President William Ruto told the UN General Assembly on Thursday his country would complete the deployment of the 2,500-strong Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) by January.
- 'Wreaking havoc' -
An advance contingent of approximately 430 MSS personnel has been deployed so far in Haiti.
Besides Kenyans, it includes around 20 soldiers from Jamaica and Belize.
Ruto said Kenya and other African and Caribbean countries were ready to deploy but were being hindered by insufficient equipment, logistics and funding.
Turk said the stabilisation force needed more equipment and personnel.
"I welcome recent positive steps, such as the establishment of a Transitional Presidential Council, the new transitional government and the deployment of the first contingents of the MSS," he said.
"It is clear, however, that the mission needs adequate and sufficient equipment and personnel to counter the criminal gangs effectively and sustainably, and stop them spreading further and wreaking havoc on people's lives."
Turk urged the Haitian authorities to reform the police and other state institutions crippled by endemic corruption, including the judiciary.
He said the international community should comprehensively implement the arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze imposed by the UN Security Council, to stem gang violence.
A.Mahlangu--AMWN