EU sanctions former Haitian leaders, gang over violence and human rights abuses

The European Union has imposed new sanctions on three Haitian individuals and one armed group, citing escalating gang violence, serious human rights abuses and ongoing impunity in Haiti.

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Those sanctioned include former Haitian president Michel Martelly, former senator Rony Celestin, and Youri Latortue, a former political adviser to Martelly and founder of the political party L’Ayiti An Aksyon (AAA). The EU also designated the 5 Segond gang, a powerful criminal group operating in the Village-de-Dieu neighborhood of Port-au-Prince.

According to the EU Council, Martelly and Latortue armed and financed several gangs to advance political objectives, protect personal and economic interests, and maintain territorial control. Celestin was sanctioned for his involvement in violence linked to armed groups and smuggling and for orchestrating the murder of journalist Néhémie Joseph, who had exposed corruption and illegal activities connected to him.

The 5 Segond gang was cited for a wide range of crimes, including theft, rape, kidnapping, murder, piracy, extortion, obstruction of humanitarian aid, and arms and drug trafficking.

As a result of the designations, all listed individuals and the gang are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and entities are prohibited from providing them with funds or economic resources. The sanctioned individuals are also banned from traveling to the European Union.

The legal acts underpinning the sanctions have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The move builds on changes made to the EU’s Haiti sanctions framework in July 2023, which allow the bloc to impose its own restrictive measures on individuals and entities deemed responsible for threatening Haiti’s peace, security and stability or undermining democracy and the rule of law. The EU framework complements sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council in October 2022.

In October 2024, the European Council reiterated its deep concern about the deteriorating situation in Haiti and called for additional targeted sanctions as part of broader efforts to restore security, democratic governance and the rule of law.

The EU said Haiti remains a priority on its agenda, with ongoing support focused on strengthening institutions and improving access to basic public services amid an increasingly volatile security environment. That assistance includes macroeconomic support, education, food security and nutrition programs, disaster preparedness, and aid to the Haitian National Police.

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The European Union described itself as a long-standing political and development partner of Haiti and said it will continue working alongside regional and international partners to respond to the country’s deepening humanitarian and security crisis.