In Haiti, at least 42 people have died since the new wave of protest in mid-September

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At least 42 people have died, including 19 have been killed by police, since mid-September in Haiti, a country shaken by a new wave of popular protest against the president, announced Friday 1^st November the United Nations (UN). According to the information collected by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, "The security forces are responsible for 19 deaths, the others have been killed by armed individuals or unknown perpetrators."

"At least 42 people have died and 86 have been injured in the escalating tensions since the beginning of the last wave of demonstrations on September 15, according to information verified by our office"said a UN spokeswoman, Marta Hurtado. The vast majority of them were shot and wounded.

Shots during demonstrations

After analyzing several video documents, Amnesty International directly questioned the head of the Haitian state, because the unit responsible for its protection and that of the National Palace is involved in several incidents. "The security forces under the command of President Jovenel Moses used excessive force. These facts must be promptly and thoroughly investigated. "said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas Program Director at Amnesty International.

The non-governmental organization states in particular in its report that "Semi-automatic firearms officers fired live ammunition during demonstrations, violating international human rights law and standards of use of force". The misuse of tear gas canisters, launched at peaceful protesters from a moving police vehicle, and repeated point-and-shoot firing of so-called lethal bullets are also condemned by Amnesty International.

Demonstrations have been staged regularly in Haiti's main cities for two months to demand the resignation of President Jovenel Moïse. A departure from power that a majority of sectors of Haitian society now considers as the first step to the end of the crisis.