This statement was made by Ms. Carine Jocelyn, Founder and Director of the Haitian Women’s Collective, at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence on 8 July.
President, Excellencies,
Thank you for the opportunity to address you today. My name is Carine Jocelyn and I am the Founder and Director of the Haitian Women’s Collective, which consists of 15 women-led organizations dedicated to empowering women and girls. This includes supporting survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, through advocacy, funding and community support.
Haiti, the first Black republic and once a beacon for liberation from slavery, is today in crisis. The severe conflict between rival gangs and the Haitian National Police has led to a complete breakdown of law and order, frequent kidnappings, and widespread violence. Armed gangs control significant portions of the country[1] and have displaced over 1.4 million people, more than half of whom are women and girls.[2] 5.8 million Haitians, roughly 52% of the population, are facing acute food insecurity.[3] 2.8 million children are in need of humanitarian assistance.[4] Haitians who seek safety abroad are frequently denied their rights as refugees and forcibly returned to the dangerous situations they fled in the first place.[5] With no elected officials in place and a transitional government that has struggled to maintain basic functions amidst the ongoing crisis, Haiti risks becoming a failed state.
This complex crisis has led to an alarming surge in sexual and gender-based violence. The UN reported a 163% increase in cases of sexual violence in Haiti in 2025, primarily against women and girls. [6] The real numbers are likely even higher.[7] Women and girls are systematically raped, trafficked and sexually exploited by gangs.[8] They are being targeted in their homes, at displacement sites, and as they go about their daily lives.[9] This violence is facilitated by easy access to military-grade weapons[10] that armed gangs and other criminal groups[11] illicitly traffic, primarily from the United States,[12] in violation of this Council’s arms embargo.[13]
Many survivors are left without services or accountability due to an ineffective justice system,[14] entrenched corruption[15] and an under-resourced police force.[16] Many, including LGBTIQ persons and those targeted in displacement sites, do not report sexual violence due to fear of reprisal and stigmatization,[17] and lack of safe and accessible reporting mechanisms.[18] Clinics are being looted, burned, or infiltrated, leaving millions without care.[19] This includes access to sexual and reproductive health services,[20] such as post-rape care,[21] contraceptives, prophylactic care and safe abortions.[22]
Local women-led organizations are often the first to respond and the last to leave a crisis. The Haitian Women’s Collective’s partner organizations are providing lifesaving services with limited funding to address protection and justice needs, all while they themselves face displacement, harassment and threats of violence. Despite extreme challenges, these groups are bringing communities together not only to meet immediate needs but also to build lasting solutions shaped by Haitians for Haiti. They are living proof that we must be treated as dignified, joyful and capable architects of our own lives.
Excellencies, as you are no doubt aware, the UN has been very present in a sovereign Haiti in its recent history, not always with positive outcomes.[23] Recently, the UN reported that members of the UN-authorized Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission committed sexual violence in 2025.[24] The MSS has now transitioned to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), authorized to use more lethal force but without satisfactory oversight or accountability mechanisms in place to protect human rights, provide support and justice for survivors and prevent future abuses.[25] Further, while the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) is working to address human rights abuses,[26] root out corruption of government officials[27] and strengthen the judiciary,[28] many Haitians feel these efforts have yet to make a real difference in their daily lives. So, let me be clear that attempts to improve security through militarized and privately funded means,[29] while ignoring the concerns of our communities, will not bring peace to Haiti.
It is an absolute tragedy for our self-determination and sovereignty that we have not had elections in over 10 years.[30] Haiti’s Constitution mandates a minimum quota of 30% for women’s representation at all levels.[31] This has never been achieved. In fact, many women do not run for public office or vote because they face such intense harassment and violent threats.[32] What is more, in December 2025, the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) approved a decree regulating defamation and so-called “press crimes,” which will unduly restrict the right to freedom of expression.[33] While it is critical that Haitians democratically choose their own leaders, elections cannot be held safely as long as armed gangs control large parts of the country. Voting under threat of violence or displacement, and without access to independent media, a working judicial system or a functioning civil society does not ensure a free or fair process. Further, foreign governments must not interfere in elections, including through sanctions or military pressure. Failure to meet these conditions undermines prospects for a stable democracy in Haiti.
Excellencies, it is time to chart a new course for Haiti. I therefore conclude by calling on the Security Council to do the following:
- Demand full compliance with the UN arms embargo on Haiti. Call on all Member States to take steps to stop the illegal flow of arms and ammunition.
- Condemn all forms of gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence in Haiti and enable the provision of comprehensive, non-discriminatory sexual and reproductive health services to survivors. Scale up resources for independent, local organizations to continue their work to address sexual and gender-based violence.
- Call on the Government of Haiti and international partners to support mechanisms for safe reporting for survivors, and investigate and prosecute those responsible for all forms of gender-based violence, including through the new specialized judicial unit on sexual violence.[34]
- Ensure that the GSF prevents the unlawful use of force by implementing mandatory oversight measures for protection of local populations, and prioritizes the deployment of human rights monitors and Women Protection Advisers.
- Urge BINUH to prioritize gender equality and women’s human rights across its mandate, and to engage with local women-led and feminist organizations.
- Condemn targeting of all human rights defenders and frontline workers, including women.
- Demand that all peace, security, transitional and political processes are Haitian-led and Haitian-owned, and ensure the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation and leadership of diverse women throughout.[35]
- Finally, in accordance with international law, call on all Member States to maintain temporary protection or refugee status for Haitians,[36] and refrain from forcibly returning people to Haiti while the crisis persists.[37]
Excellencies,
Haitians are tired of empty promises. As the UN Secretary-General said when he visited Port-au-Prince last month, the greatest disgrace in Haiti is not gang violence but the indifference of a world that has looked the other way for far too long while women and children pay the heaviest price.[38] This is true not only of Haiti but of Afghanistan,[39] Myanmar,[40] Palestine,[41] Sudan[42] and others – situations over which you have influence. Today, I urge you not to look away. You have the power to stop the violence and hold perpetrators accountable.
Thank you.
Photo Credit: UN Photo/Manuel Elías
[1] For example, gangs now control up to 90% of Port-au-Prince. UNODC, “Explainer: Organized crime and gang violence in Haiti,” 21 January 2026, https://www.unodc.org/unodc/frontpage/2026/January/explainer_-organized-crime-and-gang-violence-in-haiti.html.
[2] 1.47 million people are displaced in Haiti as of May 2026, 12% of the total population. 54% of those displaced are women and girls. IOM, “Haiti Situation Report, May 2026,” 22 June 2026, https://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/iom-haiti-situation-report-may-2026; UN Women, “Armed Gang Violence and Displacement in Haiti: Understanding the Gender-Differentiated Impacts of the Humanitarian Crisis,” p. 4, June 2026, https://lac.unwomen.org/es/digital-library/publications/2026/04/armed-gang-violence-and-displacement-in-haiti-understanding-the-gender-differentiated-impacts-of-the-humanitarian-crisis.
[3] IPC, “Haiti: Acute Food Security Situation Projection Update for March – June 2026,” 16 April 2026, https://www.ipcinfo.org/ipc-country-analysis/details-map/en/c/1162842/?iso3=HTI.
[4] OCHA, “Haiti: Humanitarian Bulletin (December 2025 – February 2026), 8 March 2026, https://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/haiti-bulletin-humanitaire-decembre-2025-fevrier-2026.
[5] Women’s Refugee Commission, “Ending Temporary Protected Status Will Put Women And Girls At Grave Risk,” 26 June 2026, https://www.womensrefugeecommission.org/press-releases/ending-temporary-protected-status-will-put-women-and-girls-at-grave-risk/; IOM, “Haiti – Monthly Monitoring of Forced Returns from abroad to Haiti (May 2026),” 24 June 2026, https://dtm.iom.int/fr/reports/haiti-monthly-monitoring-forced-returns-abroad-haiti-may-2026; IOM, “Haiti – Factsheet of key information on forced returns in 2025 (January – December 2025),” 29 January 2026, https://dtm.iom.int/reports/haiti-factsheet-key-information-forced-returns-2025-january-december-2025; UN News, “UN alert over rising deportations of Haitian mothers and newborns from Dominican Republic,” 24 April 2025, https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/04/1162591.
[6] BINUH verified cases affecting 1,668 women, 187 girls, two men and six boys. Report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence, ¶82, 21 April 2026, S/2026/321, https://docs.un.org/s/2026/321.
[7] For example, MSF reported providing care to 4,975 survivors of sexual violence in 2025. MSF, “Haiti has become a far more dangerous place to live or seek medical care,” 23 April 2026, https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/haiti-has-become-far-more-dangerous-place-live-or-seek-medical-care.
[8] Report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence, ¶82, 21 April 2026, S/2026/321, https://docs.un.org/s/2026/321; Global Protection Cluster, “Haiti: Protection Analysis Update,” p. 8, September 2025, https://globalprotectioncluster.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/pau25_20_protection_analysis_update_haiti_sept2025_final.pdf; Amnesty International, “‘I’m a Child, Why Did This Happen to Me?’ Gangs’ Assault on Childhood in Haiti,” pp. 29-34, 12 February 2025, https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/amr36/8875/2025/en/.
[9] Interim report of the Panel of Experts on Haiti, ¶29-33, 27 March 2026, S/2026/241, undocs.org/s/2026/241; MSF, “Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti,” January 2026, https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/sites/default/files/documents/MSF356939%28High%29.pdf; Final report of the Panel of Experts on Haiti, ¶65-67, 25 September 2025, S/2025/597, undocs.org/s/2025/597; OSRSG-SVC, “UN Special Representative Patten urges for immediate action as sexual violence surges amid gang violence in Haiti,” 4 June 2025, https://www.un.org/sexualviolenceinconflict/press-release/un-special-representative-patten-urges-for-immediate-action-as-sexual-violence-surges-amid-gang-violence-in-haiti/; Human Rights Watch, “Haiti: Scarce Protection as Sexual Violence Escalates,” 25 November 2024, https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/11/25/haiti-scarce-protection-as-sexual-violence-escalates.
[10] OHCHR, “Situation of human rights in Haiti,” ¶12-22, 28 March 2025, A/HRC/58/76, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/2025-03/a-hrc-58-76-auv.pdf.
[11] Interim report of the Panel of Experts on Haiti, ¶25-26, 42-51, 27 March 2026, S/2026/241, undocs.org/s/2026/241; UNODC, Tenth quarterly report on sources and routes of illicit arms and financial flows in Haiti, ¶17-26, 15 January 2026, S/2026/32, https://docs.un.org/S/2026/32.
[12] UNODC, Tenth quarterly report on sources and routes of illicit arms and financial flows in Haiti, ¶17-19, 15 January 2026, S/2026/32, https://docs.un.org/S/2026/32; Final report of the Panel of Experts on Haiti, ¶74-75, 25 September 2025, S/2025/597, undocs.org/s/2025/597; UNODC, Sixth quarterly report on sources and routes of illicit arms and financial flows in Haiti, ¶34, 6 February 2025, S/2025/85, https://docs.un.org/s/2025/85.
[13] Established by Resolution 2653 (2022), most recently renewed by Resolution 2794 (2025).
[14] Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, “Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Haiti: Key Recent Developments, July 2025 – February 2026,” pp. 5-6, March 2026, https://www.ijdh.org/wp-content/uploads/March-2026-Human-Rights-and-the-Rule-of-Law-in-Haiti-Key-Recent-Developments.pdf; MSF, “Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti,” p. 17, January 2026, https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/sites/default/files/documents/MSF356939%28High%29.pdf.
[15] Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, “Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Haiti: Key Recent Developments, July 2025 – February 2026,” pp. 4-5, March 2026, https://www.ijdh.org/wp-content/uploads/March-2026-Human-Rights-and-the-Rule-of-Law-in-Haiti-Key-Recent-Developments.pdf; Human Rights Committee, Concluding observations on the second periodic report of Haiti, ¶12-13, 29 July 2025, CCPR/C/HTI/CO/2, https://docs.un.org/CCPR/C/HTI/CO/2.
[16] Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, “Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Haiti: Key Recent Developments, July 2025 – February 2026,” p. 3, March 2026, https://www.ijdh.org/wp-content/uploads/March-2026-Human-Rights-and-the-Rule-of-Law-in-Haiti-Key-Recent-Developments.pdf.
[17] MSF, “Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti,” p. 16, January 2026, https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/sites/default/files/documents/MSF356939%28High%29.pdf; Human Rights Watch, “Haiti: Scarce Protection as Sexual Violence Escalates,” 25 November 2024, https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/11/25/haiti-scarce-protection-as-sexual-violence-escalates.
[18] Mercy Corps, “Displacement, Gendered Harm, and the Normalization of Crisis in Port-au-Prince,” p. 7, 24 March 2026, https://www.mercycorps.org/research-resources/displacement-gendered-harm-and-crisis-in-haiti;
[19] As of February 2026, only 26% of inpatient facilities nationwide were operational. In Port-au-Prince, only 37 of 100 inpatient facilities were functional. WHO, “Haiti: WHO Health Emergency Appeal 2026,” 3 February 2026, https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/haiti–who-health-emergency-appeal-2026.
[20] MSF, “MSF suspends operations at the Isaïe Jeanty Maternity hospital in Haiti amid violence,” 19 June 2026, https://www.msf.org/haiti-msf-forced-suspend-operations-isaie-jeanty-maternity-hospital; Interim report of the Panel of Experts on Haiti submitted pursuant to resolution 2794 (2025), ¶32, 27 March 2026, S/2026/241, docs.un.org/S/2026/241 [noting absence of regular and preventive women’s health services].
[21] Interim report of the Panel of Experts on Haiti submitted pursuant to resolution 2794 (2025), ¶31, 27 March 2026, S/2026/241, docs.un.org/S/2026/241; MSF, “Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti,” pp. 14-16, January 2026, https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/sites/default/files/documents/MSF356939%28High%29.pdf.
[22] Human Rights Watch, “World Report 2026: Haiti,” January 2026, https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2026/country-chapters/haiti#79a95f; Human Rights Committee, Concluding observations on the second periodic report of Haiti, ¶22-23, 29 July 2025, CCPR/C/HTI/CO/2, https://docs.un.org/CCPR/C/HTI/CO/2.
[23] See Yale Law School and L’Association Haïtienne de Droit de l’Environment, “Peacekeeping without Accountability: The United Nations’ Responsibility for the Haitian Cholera Epidemic,” 2013, https://law.yale.edu/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/Clinics/Haiti_TDC_Final_Report.pdf;
[24] Report of the Secretary General on special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, ¶72, 16 February 2026, A/80/644, undocs.org/a/80/644.
[25] US Senate letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio concerning US Policy in Haiti, 5 June 2026, https://www.kaine.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/6526letteronhaitipolicy.pdf; Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, “Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Haiti: Key Recent Developments, July 2025 – February 2026,” p. 17, March 2026, https://www.ijdh.org/wp-content/uploads/March-2026-Human-Rights-and-the-Rule-of-Law-in-Haiti-Key-Recent-Developments.pdf; Haiti Advocacy Working Group Letter to US Ambassador to Haiti, 26 January 2026, https://maryknollogc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Haiti-GSF-Letter-to-Amb.-Wooster_Jan-2026.pdf; Resolution 2793 (2025), undocs.org/s/res/2793(2025).
[26] Resolution 2814 (2026), OP 2(vi), undocs.org/s/res/2814(2026). See also BINUH Human Rights Reports, accessed 29 June 2026, https://binuh.unmissions.org/en/rapports-sur-la-situation-des-droits-de-lhomme.
[27] Resolution 2814 (2026), OP 4. See also Report of the Secretary General on the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, ¶23-27, 15 January 2026, S/2026/31, undocs.org/s/2026/31.
[28] Resolution 2814 (2026), OP 2(v). See also Report of the Secretary General on the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, ¶25-32, 13 April 2026, S/2026/325, undocs.org/s/2026/325.
[29] OHCHR, “Situation of human rights in Haiti,” ¶6, 24-28, 28 April 2026, A/HRC/61/74, undocs.org/a/hrc/61/74; UNODC, Tenth quarterly report on sources and routes of illicit arms and financial flows in Haiti, ¶29, 15 January 2026, S/2026/32, https://docs.un.org/S/2026/32; Final report of the Panel of Experts on Haiti, ¶28-29, 25 September 2025, S/2025/597, undocs.org/s/2025/597.
[30] Harold Isaac, “Haiti postpones voter registration for first election in a decade, no new dates given,” Reuters, 8 April 2026, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/haiti-postpones-voter-registration-first-election-decade-no-new-dates-given-2026-04-09/.
[31] Constitution of the Republic of Haiti, Article 17-1, accessed 25 June 2026, https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Haiti_2012.
[32] Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, “CSW69 Parallel Event: Advancing the Rights of Haitian Women & Girls – Outcome Document,” March 2025, https://www.ijdh.org/wp-content/uploads/CSW69-Parallel-Event-Advancing-the-Rights-of-Haitian-Women-Outcome-Document-FINAL-EN.pdf; Centre for Voters Initiative and Action, “NGO Report on Haiti for the 143rd Session of the Human Rights Committee,” ¶17-23, 31 January 2025, https://www.cvia.ch/submissions/haiti-covenant-on-civil-and-political-rights-treaty; Policy Framework for an Effective and Equitable Transition, July 2024, https://www.ijdh.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Policy-Framework-for-an-Effective-Transition-Empower-Womens-Participation-FOR-SIGNATURE-7.3.pdf.
[33] IACHR, “Press Release: SRFOE calls on Haitian authorities to guarantee freedom of expression as a pillar of democratic transition and the restoration of security,“ 28 January, 2026, https://www.oas.org/en/iachr/jsForm/?File=/en/iachr/expression/media_center/preleases/2026/019.asp; Committee to Protect Journalists, “Haiti’s presidential council expands defamation laws as end of political immunity looms,” 16 January 2026, https://cpj.org/2026/01/haitis-presidential-council-expands-defamation-laws-as-end-of-political-immunity-looms/; Transitional Presidential Council, “Décret Encadrant l’Exercise de la Liberté d’Expression et Portant Prévention et Répression des Délits de Diffamation et de Presse,” Le Moniteur, 18 December 2025, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/projet_decret.pdf.
[34] OHCHR, “Specialised judicial units in Haiti,” 2 June 2026, https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-briefing-notes/2026/06/specialised-judicial-units-haiti.
[35] Policy Framework for an Effective and Equitable Transition, July 2024, https://www.ijdh.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Policy-Framework-for-an-Effective-Transition-Empower-Womens-Participation-FOR-SIGNATURE-7.3.pdf.
[36] MSF, “After Supreme Court ruling, Haitian TPS holders face potential return to a country in crisis,” 25 June 2026, https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/after-supreme-court-ruling-haitian-tps-holders-face-potential-return-country-crisis; Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, “Broad Group of Massachusetts-Based Organizations Decry Unprincipled, Dangerous US Supreme Court Termination of Haitian TPS,” 25 June 2026, https://www.ijdh.org/press_release/broad-group-of-massachusetts-based-organizations-decry-unprincipled-dangerous-us-supreme-court-termination-of-haitian-tps/; OHCHR, “States should not return anyone to Haiti – UN expert Bill O’Neill,” 4 July 2025, https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2025/07/states-should-not-return-anyone-haiti-un-expert-bill-oneill.
[37] UNHCR, “International Protection Considerations with Regard to People Fleeing Haiti,” 20 March 2024, https://www.refworld.org/policy/countrypos/unhcr/2024/en/147710.
[38] Secretary-General’s Press Encounter in Haiti, 16 June 2026, https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/press-events/2026-06-16/secretary-generals-press-encounter-haiti.
[39] Report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence, ¶16-19, 21 April 2026, S/2026/321, https://docs.un.org/s/2026/321.
[40] Report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence, ¶50-55, 21 April 2026, S/2026/321, https://docs.un.org/s/2026/321.
[41] Report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence, ¶35-40, 21 April 2026, S/2026/321, https://docs.un.org/s/2026/321; Norwegian Refugee Council, “Sexual violence and forcible transfer in the West Bank,” 20 April 2026, https://www.nrc.no/resources/reports/sexual-violence-and-forcible-transfer-in-the-west-bank; Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, “‘More than a human can bear’: Israel’s systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence since 7 October 2023,” 13 March 2025, A/HRC/58/CRP.6, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session58/a-hrc-58-crp-6.pdf.
[42] Report of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence, ¶63-66, 21 April 2026, S/2026/321, https://docs.un.org/s/2026/321; UN Security Council Briefing on Sudan by Hala Alkarib, 19 February 2026, https://www.womenpeacesecurity.org/resource/un-security-council-briefing-sudan-hala-alkarib/; Statement by Ms. Ikhlass Ahmed at the UN Security Council Open Debate on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, 19 August 2025, https://www.womenpeacesecurity.org/resource/statement-unsc-crsv-open-debate-ahmed/.