Human Lives Human Rights: Local human rights organizations have issued a compelling open letter to the president of the Dominican Republic and various state institutions, demanding an end to the human rights abuses faced by Haitians, Dominicans of Haitian descent, and Black individuals due to the enforcement of de facto racist migration policies. These policies, rooted in racial discrimination, lead to the exclusion of both Haitians and Dominicans based on race.
According to reports from the Dominican government, over 250,000 Haitians have been deported in 2023, including individuals seeking international protection. These mass expulsions violate the Dominican Republic’s international obligations and endanger the lives and rights of those affected, prompting calls for an immediate cessation of forced returns to Haiti.
The organizations further highlighted that the government’s abrupt decision to suspend all legal avenues for Haitian nationals to work, study, or reside in the Dominican Republic has resulted in severe consequences, including family separations and heightened migratory uncertainty for many.
The letter emphasizes that the exclusionary practices against Black individuals of Haitian and Dominican ancestry stem from a series of discriminatory migration policies, particularly the collective detention and expulsion of Haitian nationals—actions that disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including children and pregnant women. The signatories demand that the authorities guarantee Haitians the right to access asylum procedures without discrimination and restore legal pathways for workers, students, family members, and migrants seeking legal residency.
In this crucial moment, it is vital for the Dominican Republic to commit to fostering an antiracist society. Rights groups are also calling for investigations into allegations of racist violence and human rights violations perpetrated by migration officials, police, and military personnel. They urge authorities to cease the detention and deportation of pregnant women, children, and Dominicans of Haitian descent, while ensuring the right to defend human rights.
Reports have surfaced detailing serious violations allegedly committed by Dominican state officials against the dignity and physical safety of Haitians, Black Dominicans, and individuals of Haitian descent, who have suffered from racist practices. Instead of shielding these individuals from harassment, stigma, and threats, Dominican authorities have reportedly propagated discriminatory narratives and policies against them.
At this pivotal juncture, it is imperative that the Dominican Republic take a stand to create an antiracist society, where the human rights of all individuals are fully acknowledged and safeguarded, irrespective of nationality, ethnic background, or migration status.
