UN official: Haitian children jailed for years without facing judge

A United Nations official has reported that children in Haiti are being detained for years without ever appearing before a judge, according to Reuters. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, highlighted the severe violation of due process and children's rights in the country's justice system. The report underscores the systemic failures in Haiti's judicial process, where minors are held in pretrial detention for extended periods, sometimes exceeding the maximum sentence for the alleged crime. The UN official called for urgent reforms to ensure that children are not subjected to prolonged detention without legal recourse. The situation reflects broader challenges in Haiti's justice system, including lack of resources, corruption, and inefficiency.