Dominican Republic: End racist deportations of Haitians

On October 2, 2024, President Luis Abinader announced a plan to deport up to 10,000 Haitians per week. The mass deportations are set to begin on October 4, 2024, raising serious concerns about human rights violations in the Dominican Republic. 

This sharp increase in deportations could worsen existing unlawful practices, such as collective expulsions. These expulsions have affected vulnerable groups, including people in need of protection, pregnant women, children, stateless individuals, and asylum seekers. These actions violate international law. 

We urge the Dominican government to stop these collective expulsions immediately. Migration policies must respect human dignity and protect everyone from racial discrimination.

Here’s what you can do:

Write to the President of the Dominican Republic urging him to:

• End the practice of collective expulsions immediately.
• Ensure that migration policies and practices respect and protect everyone from racial discrimination.
• Comply with the Dominican Republic’s international human rights obligations.

Humanitarian crisis and rising deportations

The announcement of the deportation plan comes despite the severe humanitarian and security crisis in Haiti, where deportees face life-threatening risks. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Dominican government had already deported 128,174 people by September 2024. Among those deported were more than 6,000 children and adolescents.

With the new plan, the government aims to nearly triple the weekly deportation rate for the remainder of the year, exacerbating an already dire situation for vulnerable individuals.

Amnesty International’s response

Amnesty International has repeatedly condemned the Dominican Republic’s discriminatory migration policies. In an open letter to President Abinader in April 2024, and in a recent public statement, the organization called for an immediate end to collective expulsions and the mass deportations of Haitians. These practices, Amnesty warns, violate the Dominican Republic’s international human rights obligations.

The organization urges Dominican authorities to address racial profiling, structural racism, and discrimination. It emphasizes the importance of respecting the dignity and physical safety of Haitian migrants and Dominicans of Haitian descent.

Impact on communities

The mass deportations extend beyond Haitians, creating widespread fear among Black individuals and Dominicans of Haitian descent. Many of them are at risk of being treated as irregular migrants based on their race, skin color, or perceived national origin. Constant racial profiling and discriminatory practices contribute to an atmosphere of uncertainty.

This fear makes it difficult for these communities to access essential services, including healthcare, education, and employment. It also undermines their ability to defend their human rights, deepening their marginalization and vulnerability.

Government denial of human rights violations

Despite promises from the Dominican government to respect human rights, evidence shows ongoing violations. These include the arbitrary detention of minors and pregnant women and the excessive use of force by authorities.

Amnesty International and other organizations have documented these abuses, but high-ranking officials have denied the findings. Government narratives have also stigmatized Haitians, including children attending public schools and pregnant women seeking healthcare services.

Call to action

Amnesty International calls on the Dominican government to end the practice of mass deportations and collective expulsions. It urges the authorities to adopt migration policies that protect the human rights of all individuals, regardless of race, nationality, or immigration status. Racial profiling and discrimination must be eradicated to ensure that all people in the Dominican Republic can live with dignity and security.

Please take action as soon as possible until February 1, 2025! The UA will be duly updated should there be the need for further action.