Haiti facing ‘cataclysmic’ human rights situation

UN Interviews

Haiti is facing a “catastrophic and cataclysmic” human rights situation according to the UN’s designated expert on rights issues in the Caribbean island nation, William O’Neill.

Attacks by gangs, executions, kidnappings for ransom, violence against women – including rape – as well as corruption, inmates dying in jail and a paralyzed judicial system, are just some of the rights challenges the country is facing.

And now Haitians are becoming frustrated at the slow pace of international efforts, particularly the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, to help the country to combat these problems, according to Mr. O’Neill.

The human rights expert has just finished a 12-day mission to Haiti.

Daniel Dickinson spoke to him from the capital Port-au-Prince and began by asking how ordinary Haitians are coping.