Amnesty International on Wednesday condemned the deadly gang attack that occurred in Kenscoff, Haiti earlier this week, leaving at least 47 dead, 22 injured, and reportedly dozens more abducted. According to the human rights organization, many of those attacked were people seeking refuge in a church following violence.

“Sadly, we are once again witnessing another massacre in Haiti. This is a reminder of the devastating human cost of the absence of effective policies to protect the population,” said Astrid Valencia, Deputy Regional Director for Research for the Americas at Amnesty International.

The UN also commented on the attacks, stating that armed men began setting homes on fire and attacking residents. By Monday morning, bodies had accrued in the streets in one of the deadliest attacks in the “once relatively peaceful area.” One gang leader reportedly threatened to kill the hostages if authorities killed any gang members.

Haiti has been facing severe gang violence for years, particularly due to leaders’ weaponization of armed criminal groups to gain power and due to the lack of a strong centralized police force. Eventually, these criminal groups amassed greater power and influence than the politicians who initially relied on them. In addition to gang violence, sexual violence is exploited as a “weapon of terror” in the country and also serves to restrict access to humanitarian aid.

According to a UN quarterly report, between April and June 2026 alone, over 1,400 people were killed, most by gangs, and at least 796 people were recorded as victims of gang-related sexual violence. The humanitarian crisis in Haiti is currently listed as one of the worst in the world.

Amnesty International urged Haitian officials to take “urgent and sustainable measures” to “protect communities and break the cycle of violence and impunity.” Haiti welcomed specialized courts in June to specifically address the large scale of human rights abuses in the region.