Topic: 2025-Combating Transnational Organized Crime
Country: Haiti
Delegate Name: Ellie MacKenzie
Haiti has been struggling for years combating organized crime, and it only seems to be getting worse. There have already been multiple acts and organizations to help. Unfortunately it’s not enough. Countries like ours who also struggle with these problems don’t get the help they need either. These organized crime groups are hurting our people, our children. Many countries, instead of helping, focus on keeping organized crime groups out instead of stopping it all together. Let us remind you that our organized crime groups and other foreign organized crime groups affect your people, your children, and your country’s future too. This is not a single county’s issue, this affects all of us.
85% of the capital Port-au-Prince is under the control of gangs. More than 5,600 people were killed in gang violence in Haiti last year alone. Sexual violence against Haitian children has risen 1,000% since 2023 and more than one million children are living with the constant threat of violence. These gangs have even started recruiting the children and targeting them with violence and sexual assault. Amnesty reported that gang recruitment of children in the country has risen by 70 percent, and between 30 to 50 percent of gang members in Haiti are now children. If children refuse to follow a gang’s orders, they or their families would be killed. Amnesty also said that Haitian girls are frequent victims of abductions, rape and other sexual assaults during gang attacks. There have been identified attacks on schools and hospitals, as well as the blocking of humanitarian aid because of gang violence. In the first quarter of 2023 it was reported that there was 1,674 homicides, rapes, kidnappings and lynchings, many still go unreported out of fear.
Countries like the United States of America who are pulling back on aid, will make matters only worse. Countries like Haiti can’t support themselves and urgently need help. We are dependent on the help we receive and cannot do this alone. We ask upon countries willing and able to help, help. This is a life, an unfortunate reality for Haitians, that no one should have to live such an atrocious existence. Maybe one day, with the help and aid we need, we can live peacefully and return such graces given.
