The announcement by the Conille government of the recovery of the site of the general hospital (HUEH) occupied by armed groups for several months, after we saw, the day before, Magalie Habitant – whose proximity to criminal gangs and the PHTK regime is known – appear with a few people wearing shirts written “Conille=Security=Elections”, is it likely to raise awareness and reassure or on the contrary… to alarm?
In the media, Ms. Habitant suggested that it is a private initiative, supported by individuals from the private business sector, members of the Presidential Transitional Council and the government through the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications (MTPTC).
Whoever wants to understand will understand!!!
In the fight they claim to be waging against criminal armed groups for more than three years, all representatives of the PHTK regime and their foreign guardians agree on one thing: Always maintain the population, the only force capable of providing a lasting solution to this planned and programmed insecurity, outside of any strategy aimed at combating the phenomenon.
So, whether it is Prime Minister Claude Joseph, Ariel Henry or Garry Conille or other representatives of the said regime, they have never taken steps to begin a clear assessment of the risks associated with the presence of armed gangs in the metropolitan area. This would include raising awareness of the different types of crimes committed by these groups, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, armed robbery and homicide. By highlighting these impacts, the campaign would aim to educate residents about the negative consequences for public safety, quality of life and local economic development.
Likewise, they have never encouraged community participation in this fight that they say they are waging against armed gangs.
Yet mobilizing residents and local residents is essential. An awareness campaign could encourage the population to become proactive in reporting suspicious or criminal activities, using secure channels to inform local authorities. It could also promote the establishment of neighborhood committees, community watch groups and awareness-raising initiatives to strengthen collective vigilance against armed gangs.
It is crucial to educate residents about the warning signs of gang involvement or radicalization. This could include changes in youth behavior, signs of social isolation, increased drug use, and changes in lifestyle. By identifying these signals early, the community can intervene early to offer support and alternatives before the situation escalates.
The campaign would highlight constructive alternatives for young people who may be drawn to gangs. This includes enriching educational programs, sports activities, mentoring opportunities and job training. By providing these options, it would seek to reduce the appeal of gangs by offering more promising pathways for young people’s futures and strengthening their resilience against negative influences.
A critical component of the campaign would be to build community trust in law enforcement. This would involve efforts to improve communication and transparency, to treat complaints seriously, and to proactively address local concerns. Effective collaboration relies on a relationship of mutual trust, which is essential for preventing and solving gang-related crimes.
The campaign would also commit to supporting victims of gang-related crime and their families. This includes access to psychological support services, legal advice, and rehabilitation programs to help victims recover from the trauma they have suffered. Providing ongoing support helps build individual and community resilience against the devastating impact of criminal activity.
By raising awareness of the challenges posed by armed gangs, the awareness campaign would stimulate demand for robust public policies and adequate resources. This could include publicly funded community prevention initiatives, legislative reforms to strengthen sanctions against organized criminal activity, and investments in the socio-economic development of disadvantaged neighborhoods.
This effective advocacy would help transform awareness into concrete and sustainable actions to reduce the incidence of armed gangs.
However, all this is of no real interest to Prime Minister Conille and the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) who seem to have another mission than that of eradicating this phenomenon of criminal armed gangs in Haiti.
It is clear that any real solution to the problem of insecurity in Haiti necessarily involves an effective awareness and education campaign that can play a crucial role in reducing the influence and impact of criminal armed gangs and strengthening community resilience by promoting safer and more prosperous environments for the entire population.
Celimene Fratus
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