A child in Haiti should be carrying a schoolbag, not fear. But today, children in Haiti are being recruited by gangs, raped, shot, and driven from their homes. Some are forced to spy, carry deliveries, or work for armed groups just to survive. Others are attacked simply for living in the wrong neighbourhood. Amnesty International works to expose these abuses, pressure those in power, and fight for protection so that a child trapped in violence can still have a future.
Children in Haiti are being pulled into gang violence. Amnesty documented children as young as 12 used to spy, deliver goods, or carry weapons. Some were hungry, others threatened, many knew refusing could mean death. Girls face sexual violence, including abductions and rape. By the end of 2024, more than 1 million people were displaced, over half of them children. Violence is taking them out of school and forcing them into survival.
This project documents cases of child recruitment, sexual violence, and killings by collecting testimonies and verifying evidence. That evidence is used to expose abuses internationally and pressure authorities to investigate and act. At the same time, it pushes for child protection measures so that children are treated as victims and receive support, not punishment.
A child recruited by a gang is not beyond protection. Over time, this project helps reduce the risk of children being recruited into violence by exposing abuses and increasing international pressure. It supports stronger protection measures so children can return to school, access support, and rebuild their lives. The goal is not only to help children survive violence, but to ensure they have a real chance to grow up safely and reclaim their future.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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