[JURIST] The UN human rights chief in Haiti [JURIST news archive] said Friday that the human rights situation in the Caribbean nation had become "catastrophic". Thierry Fagart, who heads a team of some 30 UN observers, cited numerous violations of basic human rights, such as arbitrary arrests, torture and summary executions committed by Haitian National Police, and street violence committed by gangs. Tensions in the country have increased with the approach of presidential and legislative elections [JURIST report] scheduled for November 13. Rights groups estimate that more than 1,500 people have died in political violence in Haiti since the ouster of former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide last year. AP has more.

Previously in JURIST's Paper Chase…

• UN rights official calls detention of former Haiti PM illegal
  
• UN Security Council calls on Haiti to curb rights violations
  
• Haiti's new government accused of human rights violations