An unidentified speaker warned that restrictions on freedom of movement in Haiti are preventing people from reaching work and land and could keep many from voting in elections the government has scheduled before the end of 2026.

The speaker said freedom of movement is “one of the rights that is sometimes not sufficiently emphasized” and described mobility as central to the country’s dynamics. “Je dirais que l'un des droits qui parfois n'est pas assez mis en avant, mais qui recoupe un peu vraiment toutes les dynamiques en Haïti, c'est la liberté de circulation,” the speaker said.

Why it matters: The speaker said people living in areas controlled by gangs cannot access their means of subsistence — including travel to farms or jobs — which jeopardizes both survival and the ability to exercise political rights. “Sans liberté de circulation, les populations qui sont sous contrôle dans certaines zones des gangs ne peuvent pas accéder à leurs moyens de subsistance,” the speaker said.

The speaker noted that the government recently announced an electoral calendar aiming for a democratic transfer of power before the end of 2026, and warned that without restored mobility it will be “very, very difficult” for citizens to participate. “Le gouvernement, il y a quelques jours, a annoncé un calendrier électoral ... avant la fin 2026,” the speaker said.

On international support, the speaker expressed hope that deployment of an international force to support national authorities would help reestablish safe movement and protect civilians, saying such a deployment could both improve survival and allow people to exercise their rights and vote. The transcript records only the speaker’s statement of hope; the speaker did not specify which international actors or what timeline would apply.

No formal action was recorded in the transcript. The statement does not identify the speaker by name or organizational affiliation and does not specify which international force is meant, so the identity of the speaker’s source and the details of any planned deployment remain unspecified.

The most recent factual development in the record is the government’s announcement of an electoral calendar that aims to enable a transfer of power before the end of 2026; the speaker urged that restoring freedom of movement is necessary for that timetable to be meaningful.