Key Highlights:

• Funeral held for Marckendy Natoux, one of two journalists killed by gangs in Haiti.
• Natoux was fatally shot during a gang attack while covering the reopening of a public hospital.
• Colleagues demand accountability, blaming the government for negligence.
• Journalists face increasing violence, with Haiti ranked among the worst for unsolved murders of reporters.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A young boy clad in a suit and bow tie poignantly wiped his tears away at the funeral of Marckendy Natoux, one of two journalists tragically murdered by gangs in Haiti. The ceremony took place on Saturday, mourning Natoux, who was shot on Christmas Eve in a brutal incident that underscores the dangers faced by the press in this Caribbean nation. Gunfire erupted amidst the expected reopening of Haiti’s largest public hospital, an event that quickly turned deadly. The attack comes amid an escalation of gang violence that has plagued Port-au-Prince, with criminal groups now controlling approximately 85% of the city.

At 42 years old, Natoux was a devoted father, fluent in four languages, and committed to journalism through his work with several local and U.S. media outlets. His reputation as a kind-hearted protector of journalists was cemented by colleagues who described him as respectful and dedicated to ensuring that news was shared. Oriol Jacklin, a journalist at Radio Regard FM, emphasized, “Natoux was a protector of journalists,” highlighting his collaborative spirit in the profession.

The violence on December 24 targeted journalists reporting on the hospital that had previously been looted by gangs. Johnson "Izo" André, a notorious gang leader, claimed responsibility for the attack through a social media video, asserting that he did not approve of the hospital’s reopening. Natoux’s colleague Jacalin publicly criticized the government, emphasizing that “you shouldn’t invite someone to cover a media event in an area you know is dangerous.” This negligence, they contend, not only cost two journalists their lives but also gravely injured several others.

Along with Natoux, Jimmy Jean, a father of six who worked for the online outlet Moun Afe Bon, also lost his life in this incident. The recent tragedies are not isolated; they reflect a broader pattern of violence against journalists in Haiti. The (Voice of America) reports that the Committee to Protect Journalists ranked Haiti as one of the highest offending countries for unsolved journalist murders, with at least seven killings remaining unresolved since 2019.

The heightened risk faced by journalists in Haiti was compounded by the grim backdrop of insecurity. With over 5,600 recorded fatalities in the past year, the gap between justice and accountability seems vast, especially in light of last year’s launch of a United Nations-supported peacekeeping mission. Recently, additional Kenyan police officers joined the mission in a bid to control the escalating violence. As friends gathered to mourn Natoux, the somber atmosphere reflected a disturbing reality: “This was a very dark day,” said Robest Dimanche, spokesperson for the Online Media Collective, reaffirming the urgent call for justice.

During the emotional funeral, loved ones lifted Natoux’s coffin adorned with the Haitian flag while anguished cries echoed throughout the church. The bereft family and colleagues demand that the authorities ensure such heinous acts go not unpunished, as they seek solace amidst profound loss.

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