Amnesty International has called on the Dominican government to put an end to human rights violations against Haitian people, Dominicans of Haitian descent, and black individuals in the implementation of their migration policies, which the organization deems as racist. In an open letter addressed to President Luis Abinader and state institutions, Amnesty International, along with six other organizations such as the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH), stated that these migration policies are based on racial discrimination and lead to discriminatory effects resulting in the racial exclusion of Haitian and Dominican individuals.
The Dominican government itself has reported deporting over 250,000 Haitian individuals in 2023, including those in need of international protection. According to Ana Piquer, Director for the Americas at Amnesty International, these mass expulsions are a clear violation of the Dominican Republic’s international obligations and put the lives and rights of these individuals at risk. The forced returns to Haiti must stop to prevent further harm to these vulnerable populations.
The decision to suspend all legal provisions for Haitian individuals to work, study, or reside in the country has had significant consequences, affecting families who are now separated and leaving many in a state of migratory uncertainty. The discriminatory migration policies, including detentions and mass expulsions of Haitian individuals, including minors, pregnant women, and postpartum mothers, have resulted in the exclusion of black individuals of Haitian and Dominican origin from society.
The signatory organizations demand that authorities ensure Haitian individuals have access to asylum procedures without discrimination and resume legal avenues for workers, students, family members, asylum seekers, and migrants seeking legal residence in the country. Amnesty International also urges authorities to investigate reports of racist violence and other human rights violations allegedly committed by immigration agents, police, and armed forces, and to refrain from detaining and deporting pregnant women, minors, and Dominicans of Haitian descent, while ensuring the right to defend human rights.
Amnesty International asserts that rather than protecting these individuals from harassment, stigma, and threats, Dominican authorities have been promoting discriminatory discourses and policies against them. In light of this, it is crucial for the Dominican Republic to commit to building an anti-racist society where the human rights of all individuals, regardless of nationality, ancestry, or migratory status, are fully respected and protected. Ana Piquer emphasized the importance of this moment and the imperative for the Dominican Republic to prioritize the respect and protection of human rights for all people.
