In a diplomatic note, the Dominican Republic insisted that irregular immigration places unsustainable economic pressure on the government on public services that are provided free of charge, such as health and education.
Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that, given the repeated accusations that Haitian authorities have made regarding the repatriations of undocumented immigrants, which include alleged State racism, the Dominican Government considered It is appropriate to reiterate to the international community its rejection of these accusations.
The institution explained that by means of a diplomatic note it sent to the diplomatic corps accredited in the country the document titled “Dominican position on essential issues of relations with Haiti, including migration.”
Likewise, the text was sent to the Dominican diplomatic missions to be communicated to the governments and international organizations to which they are accredited.
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He added that this same document was previously notified, on Tuesday, October 15, to the Haitian Government through official channels.
MIREX explained that in both communications the Dominican Government rejected the accusations raised by Haitian authorities, ensuring that in In the country there is no State policy to discriminate, promote xenophobia, much less mistreat people of any nationality.
The Ministry added that, in this regard, the Dominican Government remains committed to prioritizing the promotion and protection of human rights, both nationally and internationally, and therefore takes any complaint related to these issues very seriously.
Press release 📰
Dominican Government reiterates to the international community the country’s position on the relationship with Haiti and migration.https://t.co/YgVYgt3rJG pic.twitter.com/vfNLJEHCNH
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic (@MIREXRD) October 18, 2024
“He Haitian government and the international community they taste very good about the effort we have made to ensure that Haiti regain your normality. They also know the impact that the uncontrolled growth of migration has on the economy and stability of a country. But so far we have not received any expression of interest of these two sectors to support the Dominican Republic in its efforts to achieve better migration governance. However, we yes we know what we have what to do for guarantee our stability”, he highlighted in the document.
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The Dominican Foreign Ministry also stated that the migratory flow from Haiti to the Dominican Republic dates back to the 1970s. 80’s and continued to increase in the following years, which led to both governments signing the Protocol of Understanding on Repatriation Mechanisms between the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti in 1999.
MIREX recalled that in said agreement the Haitian Government recognized that the Dominican Government has the legitimate right to repatriate undocumented Haitian citizens in Dominican territory and consequently undertook to “establish immigration control posts along the Dominican-Haitian border.” , for prevent the illegal flow of its citizens to the Dominican Republic“, and to “redouble its efforts to provide its nationals with Haitian identity documents, in the context of the potential migratory flow to the Dominican Republic.”
In the document sent to the diplomatic delegations, the Foreign Ministry invited them to investigate whether the neighboring country has fulfilled its part of that commitment.
“Since the arrival of President Luis Abinader to the government, it was decided to implement a Good Neighbor policy towards Haiti based on three essential axes: dialogue, mutual respect and solidarity between the two States, and therefore one of the first measures taken was to approach the Haitian Government. This led to the president meeting on January 10, 2021 at the border with his counterpart, Jovenel Moïse, and together they offered a nine-point declaration that instituted a true collaborative program“, indicates the diplomatic note sent, adding that the agenda agreed upon by both leaders was truncated with the assassination of Moïse in July 2021, a fact that also marked a deterioration in security and institutions in that country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added in this document that irregular immigration implies unsustainable economic pressure for the Dominican Government on public services that are offered free of charge, such as health and education.
“It is regrettable that instead of strengthening efforts to confront the Haitian crisis so that the endogenous causes cease of emigration from that country, the Haitian authorities concentrate on harassing and denouncing the actions of the Dominican Government in application of its regulatory framework, which have been recognized as legitimate by the Haitian State itself,” added MIREX.
In this diplomatic note shared with the international community, the Foreign Ministry indicated that the Dominican Government remains open to a dialogue with Haiti which has tried to sustain for years to benefit both nations.
