RNDDH and SOFA condemn the gang rape perpetrated in the civil prison of Gonaïves and require the state authorities to take their responsibilities

The National Network for the Defense of Human Rights (RNDDH) and the Solidarite Fanm Ayisyèn (SOFA), two (2) member organizations of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), in a report published this Friday, November 22, 2019, say learn with consternation the events that occurred at the Gonaïves civil prison on November 7, 2019, when an attempt was made to escape and then gang rape of the detainees.

This incident occurred on the night of November 7 to 8, 2019, after an attempted invasion. A minor of fifteen (15) years as well as other women incarcerated in the civil prison of Gonaïves were raped. According to the information received and confirmed by RNDDH and SOFA, some detainees fought over who would come first.

Eight (8) of the victims said that they could not identify their attackers because they were in the dark according to this report. These victims testify that they were several to commit their crimes without being able to say exactly the number of men who raped them. In addition, two (2) of them claimed to have fallen into syncope at the time of the mutiny. It was when they woke up that they realized they were naked. The 15-year-old minor said she was raped by five (5) inmates. Two (2) inmates said they were not raped. One of them said she was not noticed by the attackers because she had been hiding under a wet mattress in the cell.

RNDDH and SOFA condemn this gang rape perpetrated in the Gonaïves civil prison and demand the state authorities to take their responsibilities.

These organizations, by way of recommendations, require:
• The conduct of a top-down investigation to identify all the detainees involved in this case with a view to sanctioning them according to the law;
• The medical, psychological and social care of female prisoners who have been gang raped at the Gonaïves civil prison;
• Construction of separate prisons to exclusively house women in conflict with the law;
• The renewal of food, propane gas, medicine, hygiene kits and cleaning supplies in all prisons in the country.