PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — At his stepfather’s funeral on Saturday, a young boy dressed in a suit and bow tie tenderly wiped tears from his mother’s face as they laid to rest Marckendy Natoux, one of two journalists tragically killed by gangs in Haiti. Natoux, a 42-year-old father of two with a talent for languages and a kind spirit, was fatally shot on Christmas Eve in a violent attack by gangs during what was meant to be the reopening of Haiti’s largest public hospital. Known for his work with various media outlets, including Voice of America’s Creole service, Natoux was described by colleagues as a dedicated protector of journalists who respected and worked well with everyone.
Accompanying Natoux in death was Jimmy Jean, a 44-year-old father of six who worked for the online news outlet Moun Afe Bon. His funeral was held on Thursday. The killings have sparked outrage and calls for justice, with Robest Dimanche of the Online Media Collective condemning the senseless violence and urging authorities not to let the crimes go unpunished. However, Haiti has a history of unsolved murders of journalists, with the Committee to Protect Journalists ranking the country as a top offender in failing to bring perpetrators to justice.
Despite the ongoing violence and lack of accountability, efforts are being made to address the situation. A U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police has been deployed to help combat gang violence in Haiti, with additional officers arriving to bolster the mission. The international community is also considering the need for a U.N. peacekeeping mission in the country as a means to address the security challenges.
As friends and family gathered to bid farewell to Natoux, the poignant scene of the young boy wiping away tears symbolized the heartbreaking loss felt by many. The funeral concluded with loved ones lifting Natoux’s coffin high, a colleague touching the Haitian flag draped over it as sorrowful cries echoed through the church.
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