On June 22, 2026, Haitian National Police officers deployed tear gas against students from the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy at the State University of Haiti (UEH) during a demonstration demanding the reopening of the university hospital.

The students had gathered peacefully outside the Prime Minister’s residence to draw attention to the impact of the hospital’s two-year closure on their practical medical training and to seek dialogue with officials. The State University Hospital had remained closed due to ongoing gang violence and insecurity in the area. Security forces used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of force during a student protest. While state authorities have the responsibility to maintain order and prevent disruption, they must refrain from the disproportionate use of force and endangerment of civilians and must respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Students and members of the public must refrain from violence, especially on campus, and also respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Such actions, beyond harming the immediate victims, have a chilling effect on academic freedom.’

Sources:
https://vantbefinfo.com/des-etudiants-en-medecine-manifestent-pour-la-relocalisation-de-lhopital-general/
https://lenouvelliste.com/article/268838/des-etudiants-reclament-la-reouverture-de-lhopital-general
https://www.alterpresse.org/Haiti-La-Pnh-disperse-une-manifestation-d-etudiants-exigeant-la-reouverture-de-l-hopital-de-l-Ueh