Fundamentals

With the rise of global immigration, it is steadily becoming a divisive topic. Some are advocating for harsher migration policies, leading to xenophobic attitudes, and even sparking riots – as most recently shown in England.

The Dominican Republic has a long history with Haitian immigration, recently fostering harsher attitudes, ‘by deporting up to 10,000 migrants a week’ following the ‘excess’ of immigrants. Since then, multiple organisations have expressed concern for their methods and policies, demanding that President Luis Abinader and Vice President Raquel Pena need to promote a positive change by correcting racist and discriminatory practices embedded in their immigration policies.

The Dominican Republic has had a troubling recent history of human rights violations in relation to Haitian immigration. This includes the exploitation of Haitian workers in the sugar industry, where many are undocumented. Workers stated that ‘no one in the Dominican Republic would do this work’ as they are extremely exploited with low pay, poor living conditions and inadequate health care, unable to leave plantations out of fear of deportation.

As President Luis Abinader entered his second term in August 2024, Amnesty international expressed their concern over his earlier human rights violations.  According to the UN’s International Organisation (IOM), following the influx of immigrants the Dominican Republic forcibly returned over 200,000 people last year – many being women and children. Amnesty International have received testimonies from victims that contain depictions of excessive force and violence, including raids without warrants and a report of sexual violence against a child.

Critics respond to this situation, stating that the government are acting ‘inhumanely’ and are neglecting basic human rights. One form of deportations used is collective expulsions, this fails to individually assess immigrants’ protection concerns, and is often carried out by officials based on racial profiling and discrimination. These methods not only violate international obligations but also infringe human rights which the government has still failed to address.

This isn’t the first time the Dominican Republic have faced tensions with Haiti. In Abinader’s previous term (2023), he sealed the border with Haiti due to a conflict over their shared river, in which the decision isolated Haiti and exacerbated the growing famine.

Haitian are currently facing mass gang related violence, particularly in the capital, Port au Prince. Here, armed gangs are taking control of neighbourhoods displacing over 20,000 people. It is estimated that these gangs’ control around 85% of the capital. The UN humanitarian operations have provided meals, mental and physical care and clean water to those affected, yet, many have fled to neighbouring countries, out fears for their safety. The Dominican Republic failing to abide by international obligations and provide adequate protection to the Haitian people compounds the humanitarian crisis. This exacerbates the suffering of those displaced and hinders international efforts to help those affected.

The hardships that victims face in Haiti, due to rampant gang violence and political instability, are worsened by the Dominican Republic decision to forcibly deport and violate Haitians using systemic racism and discrimination. The blatant violations of human rights through these deportations are being condemned internationally, as President Abinader and Vice President Pena are facing increasing calls to reform their practices and protect the victims of this ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Editor: Leah Russon Watkins