UNITED NATIONS (CMC) – The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR), Volker Türk, arrives in Haiti on Wednesday, February 8 on a two-day official visit amid unrest within the French-speaking country.

Turk’s visit is at the invitation of the Haitian government that is under severe pressure from opposition parties to demit office and hold fresh elections following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021.

In addition, criminal gangs have been staging kidnappings for ransom and other violent acts in defiance of the police and the army.

During his visit, Turk will meet senior government officials, the ombudsperson, state security officials, representatives of the judiciary, as well as members of civil society organisations and victims of human rights violations in Port-au-Prince.

Türk will also visit Ouanaminthe in the northeast of the country, where he will meet with local authorities and civil society organisations.

He is expected to hold a news conference before his departure on Friday.