\n<\/p>\n
In an update, external<\/span><\/a> on the situation in the Caribbean nation on Friday, T\u00fcrk added that more than 50% of casualties occurred in the context of security operations against gangs, with hundreds struck “by stray bullets and explosive drones”.<\/p>\n Gang violence had already been rampant under Mo\u00efse, but the power vacuum created by his murder allowed violent groups to seize more territory and become more influential.<\/p>\n T\u00fcrk said gangs “continue to adapt and expand”, with evidence collected by the UN pointing at “a strategy of seizing new territory and key transport routes, threatening stability”.<\/p>\n The number of executions carried out by specialised police units dropped in recent months, he said, but people allegedly associated with gangs continue to face a high risk of summary executions.<\/p>\n The high commissioner added that recruitment of children into gangs has “nearly tripled”, as to many minors joining a gang “can be the only mean of survival”.<\/p>\n “No child should be forced to choose between their lives and the security of their neighbours,” T\u00fcrk said.<\/p>\n Haiti is preparing to hold its first presidential and legislative election since 2016<\/a> on 13 December.<\/p>\n However, T\u00fcrk said that it is “hard to imagine the conditions to hold a credible election could be met this year”, given the current situation.<\/p>\n