- Pomi said there is a history of abuses and impunity associated with past multinational interventions in Haiti.
- The multinationals had been brought in to help the situation in Haiti.
Image: AFP
Amnesty International has raised concern over the proposal to deploy police officers from Kenya to help combat the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Haiti.
The Haitian government sought help from Kenya to temporarily assist the Haiti National Police (HNP) in addressing insecurity caused by gang violence.
Amnesty International Representative at the United Nations Renzo Pomi wrote to Kenya's Security Council seeking that a few issues be addressed before the civil society group can endorse the deployment.
Pomi said there is a troubling history of abuses and impunity associated with past multinational or foreign interventions in Haiti. This includes the cholera epidemic, sexual exploitation and abuse without accountability, and excessive use of force.
He said the lack of accountability and access to justice for victims of these abuses is alarming.
Pomi said any deployment of foreign security forces must include clear, mandatory and enforceable parameters to prevent the unlawful use of force, negligence resulting in harm to local populations, and any other abuses by any individuals deployed as part of any multinational effort.
"These must also include clear measures to protect individuals against sexual exploitation and abuse," Pomi said.
Pomi said mechanisms for safeguarding the rights of local populations and providing accessible and effective remedies for victims, including for sexual exploitation, abuse and care for any resulting children, must be in place prior to any deployment.
He said the human rights record of any security forces deployed to help bring stability to Haiti should be closely assessed.
"Accordingly, we emphasise the importance of examining the human rights track record of Kenyan security forces in full before endorsing their deployment to Haiti," Pomi said.
Further, he noted that Amnesty International has recently condemned the continued unlawful use of force against protesters.
Pomi said the use of excessive and lethal force has led to increased deaths and injuries of both adults and children.
"Only recently, since March 2023 Amnesty International has documented at least 30 cases of police killings of protesters, including those during the anti-government protests on March 20 and 27 (12 killings), during the Saba Saba protest (12 killings), and on July 19 (6 killings)," he said.
He added that preliminary investigations have revealed that the police have used beatings, arbitrary arrests and detention of protesters, and the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of tear gas and water cannons, among other serious human rights violations to quell the protests.
Pomi also noted that the human rights crisis Haiti has been experiencing has caused thousands of Haitians to flee the country and look for sanctuary in countries in the Americas.
He said instead of providing the Haitians with the international protection they are entitled to, governments across the region have been implementing mass deportations and racist policies.
"No Haitian national should be sent back to the country or to any place where they could be at real risk of serious human rights violations," Pomi said.
He said the Haitians must receive access to protection without discrimination, including fair and individualised assessments for refugee status, and other pathways to regularise their status, in accordance with international human rights standards.
Pomi said before the possible deployment of Kenyan police to Haiti takes place, there should be meaningful consultation with Haitian civil society to adopt policies and practices that support a Haitian-led solution for long-term stability in the country.