I. Kidnappings for the Third Quarter of 2023 and Comparisons
1. Recorded Kidnappings for the Third Quarter of 2023
For the third quarter of 2023, the Crime Observation Unit (COU) of the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights (CARDH) recorded 362 kidnappings, an increase of 141.33% compared to the second quarter, during which 150 kidnappings were recorded.
2. Collective Kidnappings
During this period, 11 collective kidnappings (most of them in Bas-Artibonite) were recorded, compared to six in the previous quarter, representing an 83.33% increase.
3. Kidnappings for the First Three Quarters
From January 1st to September 30th, 2023, the Crime Observation Unit (COU) recorded 901 kidnappings, including at least 63 foreigners (this number for foreigners may be updated in the next bulletin).
N.B. COU figures allow for tracking the trend of kidnappings in Haiti (increase/decrease). No institution is able to identify all kidnapping cases.
II. Disaggregated Statistics on Homicides and Violent Deaths
From January 1st to September 30th, 2023, 1,564 homicides were recorded, distributed as follows: i) Early signs of « Bwa Kale, » 53 (3.38%) ; ii) « Bwa Kale, » 401 (25.6%) ; iii) Summary executions by the prosecutor of Miragoâne, Jean H. Muscadin, 10 (0.6%) ; iv) Suspected criminals stopped by the police, 101 (6.45%) ; v) Citizens murdered by gangs, 847 (54.41%); others, 119 (7.6%) ; police officers murdered and reported missing, 33 ( 2.1%).
III. Conclusion
We observed an in kidnappings due to the weakening of the « Bwa Kale » movement and the absence of measures to prevent a resurgence of gang violence
As mentioned in the prospective analyses by the Crime Observation Unit (COU) in the second-quarter bulletin of 2023, there is a rising trend in kidnappings due to the weakening of the « Bwa Kale » movement and the lack of state measures to prevent the resurgence of gang violence.
Increase in collective abductions in Bas-Artibonite
Collective abductions have significantly increased in Bas-Artibonite. This is one of the reasons explaining the rise in the number of people kidnapped. This department will become a significant hotspot for kidnappings if measures are not adopted.
Port-au-Prince, October 11, 2023
