Haiti extends night curfew

Haiti.– The Haitian Government has announced an extension of the night curfew in the Western department of Port-au-Prince for another seven days, citing ongoing security concerns in the region. Interim Prime Minister Michel Patrick Boisvert issued a statement outlining that the curfew will be enforced from yesterday, Wednesday, until next Wednesday, restricting movement between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. local time.

Exceptions to the curfew include public order authorities, firefighters, ambulances, medical and paramedical personnel, as well as duly identified journalists.

Under the provision, all demonstrations, even during daylight hours, are prohibited in the Western department. Law enforcement authorities are empowered to enforce the curfew and arrest individuals found violating the order.

Recent reports from the NGO National Network for the Defense of Human Rights (RNDDH) indicate a concerning escalation of violence in Haiti. Between January and March, at least 208 people, including 13 police officers, were killed, with another 158 sustaining injuries. Additionally, there were five recorded armed attacks in various locations.

The report highlights that the bodies of 55 victims, including a police officer, were discovered in Port-au-Prince, Delmas, and Pétion-ville by local residents. The situation is characterized by widespread violence, with over 80% of the capital reportedly under the control of armed gangs engaging in activities such as murder, kidnapping, arson, and mass rapes of women and girls. These groups are also resisting the installation of the Provisional Council for the Transition in the country.

Source: EFE