Haiti: Specific provisions within the framework of the security emergency

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P-au-P., July 25, 2024 (AlterPresse) – The government has announced several regulations in the last 24 hours to implement the state of security emergency declared on July 17 in 14 municipalities controlled by Haitian gangs, as observed by AlterPresse.

The first measures were announced by the Ministries of Justice, Public Security and Public Works, Transport and Communications

Anti-gang teams composed of prosecutors, judicial police and local authorities have been set up in the prefectures of Port-au-Prince (the capital), Croix-des-bouquets (outskirts in the north) and Gonaives (Artibonite, in the north), according to a notification from the Ministry of Justice (see below).

A total of 14 cities in these regions have been placed under a state of emergency.

For example, the anti-gang squad will be able to “carry out searches day and night in all places deemed necessary, extend the detention of suspects if the alleged offence is related to circumstances that give reason to establish a criminal gang” and, if necessary, suspend firearms licences and arrest criminals.

Gary Conil, who declared a security state of emergency in an address to the nation, said: “The state of emergency will provide the government with the means necessary to act to repel banditry and restore state authority.”

About 80% of the capital’s metropolitan area (composed of seven municipalities) is in the hands of gangs in a coalition called “Viv ansanm” (Living Together).

On the other hand, in a press release from the Ministry of Public Works, the government asked residents of several city centre neighbourhoods to vacate their homes within eight days starting on July 24 (see below).

These neighborhoods, mostly controlled by gangs, were declared public utilities in 2012.

On 23 July, the Prime Minister convened various government entities to ensure the “consolidation of actions aimed at strengthening the state of security emergency”.

He was accompanied by the High Staff of the Haitian Armed Forces (FAD’H), the High Staff of the National Police (PNH), the Government Commissioner and the President of the Court of First Instance of Port-au-Prince.

He is joined by mayors of metropolitan areas and other agencies affected by the security emergency.

“This is an opportunity to articulate the necessary synergy of this decision to address the social security and humanitarian crisis currently plaguing the country,” the Prime Minister’s Office stressed in a press release.

The press release added that for the prime minister, “the government’s state of emergency is to resolve the security crisis.”

However, the establishment of the National Security Council provided for in the Agreement of 3 April 2024 (Transition Framework Document) is still pending. The Presidential Transition Council (Cpt) has not yet made any announcement on the creation of this structure, despite repeated requests from several associations and sectors.

Three months into the transition, which began on April 25 with the establishment of the CPT, gang violence continues unabated.

The Provisional Executive Committee informed the city on July 24 that a large number of bandits had been killed by police officers in clashes since Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Gresir, about 30 kilometers south of the capital.

On the same day, we learned that a 400-member Mawozo gang in Gantir (northeast of the capital) launched an attack, forcing more than 3,800 people to relocate. (25 April 2024, 3:00 pm)