Haiti’s children are increasingly caught in the crossfire of gang violence, forced to carry weapons, spy on police and rival gangs and run errands for gunmen, according to a report released Wednesday

Amnesty International has released a report that details the impact gang violence has had on children across Haiti and called for immediate action

Sexual violence against children has increased 1,000% since 2023, turning their bodies "into battlegrounds", spokesman James Elder said. Unicef estimates 85% of the capital Port-au-Prince is under the control of gangs. More than one million children are living with the constant threat of violence.

"Gangs have caused widespread distress in Haiti. They threaten, beat, rape and kill children. They have committed multiple abuses of children’s rights, including the rights to life, to education, and to freedom of movement," said Amnesty International’s Secretary-General Agnes Callamard.

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Amnesty International has just released a report detailing the harrowing plight of children amid widespread gang violence in war-torn Haiti. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, FRANCE 24's Eve Irvine welcomes Rawya Rageh,

At least 5,600 people were killed in Haiti in 2024, an increase of more than 1,000 from the previous year. Another 2,212 people were injured and 1,494 kidnapped. View on euronews

Haiti’s children are increasingly caught in the crossfire of gang violence, forced to carry weapons, spy on police and rival gangs and run errands