Haitian bishops deplore rising political violence
November 15, 2013
The Commission for Justice and Peace of the Haitian bishops’ conference issued a report on November 13 denouncing rising violence in the nation’s capital, Agence France-Presse reported.
Between July and September, 179 people were murdered in Port-au-Prince, and an additional 65 were killed in October. The city has nearly one million residents, and 2.2 million people live in the city and its metropolitan area.
According to the report, “politicians use violence against their opponents” and are distributing weapons in poor neighborhoods. The report also found that “the police, being an accomplice to some acts of insecurity, are not able to ensure the security of the country.”
The report found that a lack of judicial independence is also contributing to the spiraling violence.
“The majority of judges are appointed incorrectly, and many are forced to work by submitting to the political authorities,” the episcopal commission stated, according to the Fides news agency.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Plus de 200 meurtres en trois mois à Port-au-Prince (AFP)
- More than 170 murders and violence continues, we need a plan for disarmament (Fides)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
