US sanctions former Haitian politician, gang leader in connection with ‘serious’ human rights abuse

WASHINGTON, CMC – The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on former member of Haiti's Parliament, Prophane Victor, “for his role in forming, supporting, and arming gangs that have committed serious human rights abuse in Haiti.”

The US also sanctioned the current leader of the Gran Grif gang, Luckson Elan, “for his involvement in serious human rights abuse related to gang activity in Haiti's Artibonite Department.” 

US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller said both Victor and Elan are highlighted in the recent final report of the United Nations Panel of Experts as being “significantly responsible for the crisis in Haiti”.

The report states that the “levels of violence and the depths of cruelty that gangs will go to in violating human rights are unprecedented, with regular indiscriminate attacks against the population and the obstruction of humanitarian assistance.  

“Sexual and gender-based violence and rape, in particular, have become one of the most horrific expressions of violence over the past two years,” it adds. 

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Miller said that promoting accountability for gender-based violence is “a top priority for the US Government and for our use of the Global Magnitsky sanctions program. We will continue to use the tools at our disposal to expose those who commit such heinous crimes anywhere they occur.”

Miller noted that US President Joe Biden issued a Memorandum on Promoting Accountability for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in November 2022 that directs the US Government to “strengthen our exercise of financial, diplomatic, and legal tools against this scourge”.  

“The Department of the Treasury sanctions actions today were taken pursuant to Executive Order 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption around the world,” he said. 

Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith said: “Victor and Elan, through their influence over or leadership of the gangs in Haiti, have sought to perpetuate the horrific violence and instability”.

“Treasury remains committed to holding accountable those who seek to leverage human rights abuses, violence, and corruption to achieve their political aims,” he added. 

The Treasury Department said promoting accountability for gender-based violence is “a top priority for the US Government”. 

It said as a result of Wednesday's action, “all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons are blocked.”

In addition, the Treasury Department said that “any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 per cent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.”