On escalating trafficking and exploitation by criminal groups in Haiti

B100225/2026

European Parliament resolution on escalating trafficking and exploitation by criminal groups in Haiti

(2026/2702(RSP))

The European Parliament,

− having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure

whereas gangs control large swathes of territory and infrastructure, use extortion, kidnappings and killings, and drive hunger, displacement and widespread violence, further fuelled by abuses by self-defence groups and drone attacks;

whereas children, particularly from extremely poor families, are increasingly exposed to trafficking by gangs; whereas child recruitment reportedly tripled in 2025; whereas children reportedly make up 30-50% of armed group members;

whereas gangs routinely use sexual violence, including collective rape, as a tool of intimidation and control, disproportionately affecting women and girls;

whereas humanitarian needs have reached unprecedented levels, with 1.45 million people displaced and 5.7 million people facing acute food insecurity;

whereas the healthcare system is collapsing, with many facilities barely functioning, and the closure of schools depriving 1.5 million children of education;

whereas on 30 September 2025, the UN Security Council approved the transformation of the Multinational Security Support into the Gang Suppression Force (GSF);

whereas on 2 December 2025, Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council approved an electoral decree toward holding general elections in August and December 2026, contingent on security improvements;

Strongly condemns the erosion of the rule of law and the loss of state authority in Haiti, alongside the brutal attacks by criminal groups, the trafficking, exploitation and abuse of children by armed gangs, and widespread impunity;

Urges Haitian authorities to prevent child trafficking by gangs by strengthening social protection, facilitating the return of children to school, developing educational and vocational training and reintegration programmes, and providing mental health care;

Calls for a human rights-based response to child trafficking, in line with the principle of non-punishment, to ensure the reintegration of children, who must not be penalised but recognised and assisted as victims of trafficking;

Calls on the Haitian authorities to end impunity, investigate all alleged human rights violations and abuses, including massacres, sexual violence, and child trafficking, and to operationalise specialised judicial units to investigate and prosecute serious crimes, including against children;

Calls on the EU and its Member States to increase financial and technical support for child protection, rehabilitation and reintegration, survivor services, justice and accountability mechanisms, and Haitian civil society;

Calls on the EU and its Member States to provide sustained financial and technical support to the GSF, and to help ensure human rights and accountability safeguards, with particular attention to child protection and sexual violence prevention;

Calls on the EU and its Member States to urgently increase humanitarian support, including for food, health, protection services, support for displaced people and deportee reintegration;

Urges all states to fully comply with the United Nations arms embargo, including by strengthening inspections of all shipments destined for Haiti;

Expresses grave concern for Haitian asylum seekers and urges host countries to halt deportations to Haiti;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the HRVP, the Cariforum institutions, and the Haitian authorities.