Haiti is facing a dire security and humanitarian crisis in 2025 characterized by escalating gang violence, widespread human rights abuses, and severe disruptions of essential services. The ongoing crisis has displaced more than 1.3 million people and left half the population suffering from acute food insecurity. The Haitian government’s ability to maintain control and protect its citizens has been critically undermined by powerful criminal groups that have expanded their territorial control beyond the capital. Against this backdrop, Human Rights Watch urgently calls on the United Nations Security Council to authorize a comprehensive international mission with sufficient funding, personnel, and human rights safeguards to protect Haitians and stabilize the country.
Escalating Violence, Humanitarian Toll, and Government Weakness
Violence in Haiti has escalated alarmingly, with at least 3,137 people killed in the first half of 2025 alone, according to UN data. Armed gangs maintain territorial control not only in Port-au-Prince, the capital, but have expanded into three other departments, severely hampering humanitarian aid delivery and the functioning of essential services. The security crisis fuels widespread displacement—over 1.3 million Haitians have been internally displaced, with children constituting a significant portion of the victims and perpetrators involved in gang activity. Acute food insecurity affects half the population, compounding the humanitarian emergency.
Despite the Haitian government’s efforts, it remains largely unable to restore order. International stakeholders recognize that the Haitian National Police lack capacity to unilaterally curb criminal gang control. Hence, a multi-national security presence with a robust mandate is considered necessary.
UN Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission and Its Challenges
To address the deteriorating security situation, the UN Security Council authorized the deployment of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti in 2023. Initially mandated for 2,500 officers to assist with restoring security and paving the way for free elections, the mission has struggled severely with funding, personnel shortages, and lack of adequate equipment. As of mid-2025, only about 1,000 personnel have been deployed, far below the original plan.
“Time is running out to stop Haiti from falling entirely into the hands of abusive criminal groups,”
stated Nathalye Cotrino, Senior Americas Researcher at Human Rights Watch.
“The UN has a chance to contribute meaningfully to addressing Haiti’s crisis by urgently ensuring that any force—whether the Multinational Security Support or the proposed Gang Suppression Force—is properly staffed, funded, accountable, and equipped with robust human rights safeguards.”
The shortcomings of the current MSS mission severely limit its ability to confront the gangs effectively and protect civilians. A major challenge lies in the mission’s inability to operate independently and its reliance on the Haitian National Police, whose capabilities are strained.
Proposed Transition to Gang Suppression Force and Strengthened UN Support
In response to these challenges, the United States and Panama have circulated a draft resolution proposing a transformation of the MSS into a more robust Gang Suppression Force (GSF). The draft envisions a force of up to 5,500 personnel, including police, military, and civilian members. Unlike the MSS’s current operational constraints, the GSF would be authorized to operate independently or alongside the Haitian National Police, representing a significant upgrade in capacity and mandate.
A new UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) would provide logistical and technical assistance to the GSF and other actors like the Haitian National Police, Haitian armed forces, and the UN Integrated Office in Haiti. This office would enhance coordination and support capabilities, crucial for addressing the multifaceted security and humanitarian challenges.
Nevertheless, Human Rights Watch and other observers caution that funding and personnel gaps must be decisively addressed to avoid past mission failures. Adequate and sustained financial resources are essential to cover salaries, operations, and equipment, while binding troop contribution commitments must ensure full staffing and effectiveness.
“Any security support mission in Haiti should be backed by predictable and sustained funding,”
Human Rights Watch emphasized.
“Predictable resources to cover salaries and operational costs are essential to prevent the gaps that crippled the MSS, and binding commitments for troop contributions are needed to ensure the force is fully staffed and able to curb abuses by Haiti’s powerful criminal groups.”
Regional and International Backing and Challenges
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) supports the draft UN Security Council resolution for increased security assistance to Haiti, recognizing it as critical amidst rising insecurity. CARICOM praises the Kenyan-led MSS’s contributions but stresses the need for an expanded, well-funded, and mandated Gang Suppression Force.
The draft resolution endorses the UN Secretary-General’s recommendations and authorizes the transition to a robust GSF with a ceiling of 5,500 personnel, alongside establishing the support office. Funding for GSF personnel would rely on voluntary sources, while the support office would be financed through UN member state assessments.
The proposal also aligns with regional efforts such as the Organization of American States (OAS) Roadmap for Stability and Peace in Haiti, which supports Haitian-led initiatives and contemplates providing logistical support to the GSF.
Political and Diplomatic Complexities
The Security Council has faced difficulties reaching a consensus on the level and form of UN involvement in Haiti. Past proposals to transform the MSS into a full UN peacekeeping operation were blocked, notably by China and Russia, citing concerns about the history of UN peacekeeping missions in Haiti. The Secretary-General’s February 2025 recommendations reflect a more cautious approach, advocating for enhanced support rather than an immediate transition to peacekeeping.
The Haitian political process shows some progress, including constitutional reviews and election preparations, yet the Secretary-General emphasized that
“sustained political progress will only be achieved through concerted efforts to address and significantly improve the security environment.”
Without substantial improvement in security, political stabilization efforts are likely to falter.
The UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) was renewed in July 2025 for six and a half months with a mandate to address root causes of the crisis and assist in political processes. The Secretary-General recommended extending this mandate for a year, with necessary security and logistical resources to effectively operate.
Human Rights and Accountability Mandates
Human Rights Watch underscores the importance of robust human rights safeguards embedded in any international security operation in Haiti. Lessons from the past and ongoing conflicts stress that missions must be accountable and respect human rights.
The GSF proposal highlights the need for operations to be conducted with transparency and strict oversight to prevent abuses, otherwise undermining the mission’s legitimacy and effectiveness. Human rights protections are integral to winning public trust and ensuring sustainable stabilization.
A Decisive Moment for the UN and International Community
Haiti stands at a critical juncture in 2025, with violence, displacement, and humanitarian suffering worsening amid weakened state control. The international community, led by the UN Security Council, faces a pivotal choice: act decisively with fully supported, accountable, and adequately staffed security forces or risk Haiti descending further into chaos and lawlessness.
The proposed transition from MSS to a Gang Suppression Force, backed by a comprehensive UN Support Office and regional cooperation, represents a promising path. But this vision will only be realized if the council commits to predictable, sustained funding and robust mandates, including human rights safeguards.
Without urgent and coordinated action, Haiti’s vulnerable population will continue to bear the catastrophic costs of inaction.
