The Presidential Transition Council of Haiti (CPT) urged this Friday “to the competent authorities of the Dominican Republic to apply, with all the necessary diligence and transparency, the required measures” in relation to the death of a Haitian girl during a school trip, which they linked to the “acts of violence” and “abuse” suffered by Haitian migrants in the neighboring country.
«The Council deeply regrets that thousands of Haitian migrants and Haitian families or families of Haitian origin have been affected in recent months due to acts of violence, abuse or treatment that violates human dignity,” the CPT said in a statement.
In the document, The Haitian authorities expressed their condolences and solidarity to the family of the 11-year-old girl, and they praised the efforts made by the diplomatic and consular representatives of Haiti in the neighboring country, who mobilized to guarantee constant and adequate support to the parents of the deceased.
«These worrying situations painfully affect both peoples and require answers responsible, concerted and in accordance with bilateral and international commitments, in full respect of the sovereignty of both States,” added the main governing body of Haiti.
The Council assured that it continues “willing to collaborate” with the Dominican authorities, through established mechanisms, in any initiative aimed at establishing the truth, guaranteeing the impartial administration of justice and reinforcing the equal protection of the fundamental rights of all.
The girl died on November 14 on a farm in the municipality of Gurabo, in the province of Santiago (north), while participating in a school excursion. Preliminary information states that she died from drowning.
This week, the attorney general (prosecutor) of the Dominican Republic, Yeni Berenice Reynoso, instructed the General Directorate of Prosecution of the Public Ministry and the National Directorate of Children, Adolescents and Families (Dinnaf) to reinforce investigations into the case.
The Dominican Vice President, Raquel Peña, described Tuesday as “painful” what happened to the Haitian girl.
«It really is a very sad situation and what we hope is that as soon as possible it becomes clear what really happened, because we know that it is a very deep pain for his mother and his family. “All the Dominican people need to know what happened,” said Peña.
Outrage over this case has been growing as it is seen as an exponent of the situation experienced by Haitians in the Dominican Republic, with organizations such as Amnesty International (AI) having pointed out in the past that Dominican immigration policies are rooted in racism, resulting in racial profiling and denial of basic services such as health, according to a protocol that conditions medical care on immigration status.
Likewise, it accuses the Dominican State of arbitrarily depriving tens of thousands of Dominicans of Haitian descent of their nationality, leaving them stateless.
In October 2024, Dominican President Luis Abinader ordered the “massive” deportation of undocumented Haitians residing in the country, to “reduce” the excess migrant population perceived in Dominican communities, with more than 180,000 deported so far this year.
