Statment on Haiti

The Socialist International is deeply alarmed by the latest warning from the United Nations that children now account for nearly half of the members of armed gangs in Haiti. This appalling reality underlines the escalating humanitarian emergency and the breakdown of basic services in Port-au-Prince and across the country.

The forced recruitment and exploitation of children as fighters, couriers and domestic labour is a grave violation of international law and a direct attack on the future of Haiti. No nation should face such a crisis alone.

The Socialist International calls for urgent and coordinated international support to:

• Protect children and vulnerable communities from violence and exploitation;
• Deliver immediate humanitarian relief and restore access to health care, education and essential services;
• Back a legitimate, inclusive political process to rebuild governance and public trust;
• Ensure that international security initiatives, including those under discussion at the United Nations, are properly resourced, effectively coordinated and accountable to the Haitian people.

The Socialist International stands in full solidarity with the people of Haiti. We urge the international community to act with determination and unity. The world must not remain indifferent whilst Haiti’s children are robbed of their future and the foundations of society are torn apart by violence.