PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) – The Haitian government has welcomed the integration of 739 recruits, including 213 women, into the Haitian National Police (PNH) as the French-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country seeks to strengthen the ranks of the PNH in the fight against criminal gangs.

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, speaking at the graduation ceremony of the 34thh promotion “Vertières” of the PNH, over the last weekend, reiterated his unwavering support for the police institution.

He told the ceremony, organised at the National Police School, that the new recruits will have a crucial role to play in the fight against armed gangs and the restoration of public order.

“Peace and stability are absolute imperatives,” he said, adding “my government will spare no effort to restore security throughout the national territory”.

In his speech, President of the Transitional Council, Leslie Voltaire, congratulated the new police officers, adding “it is with great pride that I salute the 739 new police officers who have joined the national police. I congratulate them for their courage and determination to serve the country”.

Minister of Women’s Affairs, Pédrica Saint-Jean, said “it is with immense pride and a deep sense of satisfaction that I would like to salute the integration of 213 young women into the ranks of the National Police”.

She said the commitment of these women illustrates not only their determination to serve and protect the Nation, but also their crucial role in strengthening representation within the police force.

“Their integration is a strong signal that gender barriers can and must be removed to allow everyone to contribute to the development of our country,” she said, adding “to these new policewomen, I extend my warmest encouragement.

“I am convinced that they will uphold the values of the PNH and will be role models for many other young women who aspire to pursue careers traditionally perceived as masculine,” she added.

Last week, the United Human Rights Office reported that at least 5,601 people were killed in Haiti last year.

The killings were as a result of gang violence, an increase of over 1,000 on the total killings for 2023, according to figures verified by the UN Human Rights Office.  It said a further 2,212 people were injured and 1,494 kidnapped.

The UN Human Rights Office said many of the victims were older people accused of causing the death of the leader’s son through alleged voodoo practices.

It said to erase evidence, gang members mutilated and burned most of the bodies, while other bodies were thrown in the sea.

The Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti recently welcomed a second group of soldiers from Guatemala, bringing to 150, the total number of the contingent in the country.

With the arrival of the Guatemalans, the MSS, which has been sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council, now has 590 police/military personnel in the country.