PNPDH Criticizes Ineffectiveness of Drone-Assisted Operations by Task Force

For several months, the Haitian government has been using kamikaze drones to attack criminal gangs who continue to sow terror in the country. Operations are conducted in Kenskoff, Gran Ravin, lower Delmas, etc., without palpable and concrete results, as no gang leader has been fatally hit or seriously injured, while some speak of numerous victims among the bandits.

In an interview with our editorial team, the executive director of the National Platform for the Progress of Human Rights (PNDPH) strongly criticizes the way drones are being used by the current administration, particularly the Prime Minister's Office.

According to Jackson Pierre Noël, governmental authorities are merely playing politics with the drones. “If the government used drones effectively, we would already have unblocked roads, displaced families would have already returned to their respective homes, and gang leaders would be killed because their residences and movements are known,” stated Mr. Pierre Noël, who firmly believes that the Haitian state has so far shown no will to eradicate the gangs.

He believes that kamikaze drones can truly help in the battle against banditry in Haiti, “but their mode of use must be rethought” and everything should be handed over to the Haitian National Police.

Furthermore, Mr. Pierre Noël encourages human rights organizations to intensify their field investigations to obtain the true assessments, as there has been no official communication on the matter since.