Haiti: Arms proliferation fuels human rights abuses ahead of elections

[struggle4progress]

July 28 2005

Press Release - Amnesty International

Around 170,000 small arms are being used by former military personnel and criminal gangs to commit grave human rights abuses as the country prepares for elections, Amnesty International said in a new report issued today.

Amnesty International called on the interim government and the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) to implement without delay a comprehensive disarmament, demobilization and reintegration program.

“Small arms are being used by illegal armed groups and former military to kidnap, sexually abuse and kill Haitians with absolute impunity. Without disarmament and effective justice for the victims, Haiti will sink further into crisis,” said Amnesty International. <snip>

In March 2005, 325 former military personnel symbolically turned in 7 weapons in Cap-Haitien, marking their return to civilian life. Since then, no serious attempts have been made to disarm the former military and rebel groups. <snip>

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