Blogs

Dominican Republic says will expel up to 10,000 Haitian migrants a week

Oct 3, 2024 | World

October 3, 2024

The Dominican Republic has announced plans to expel up to 10,000 Haitian migrants per week, despite ongoing concerns from the United Nations about the dire conditions in Haiti, where gang violence has spiraled out of control. Dominican presidential spokesperson Homero Figueroa stated that the move is aimed at addressing what the government sees as an excessive number of migrants in the country’s communities. The expulsions are set to begin immediately.

This decision comes at a time when violence in Haiti has reached alarming levels. The UN recently reported that more than 3,661 people were killed in the first half of 2024 due to rampant gang violence, which has displaced over 700,000 people and left half the population facing acute hunger. Gangs, which control about 80% of Port-au-Prince, have continued to target prisons and state institutions. Despite efforts by the international community, including the deployment of a UN-backed police force led by Kenya, the violence shows no sign of abating.

Dominican President Luis Abinader has justified the expulsions by citing the international community’s failure to restore stability in Haiti. In 2023, the Dominican Republic expelled 250,000 undocumented Haitians, and this latest plan could double that number. However, official statistics indicate that fewer than 500,000 Haitians currently reside in the Dominican Republic, raising questions about how the government intends to implement such a large-scale expulsion.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from rights groups, who accuse the Dominican government of enacting discriminatory policies. They argue that the expulsions are racially motivated, as Haitians in the Dominican Republic often face long-standing prejudice. Some critics have claimed that Black Dominicans are being unfairly targeted as part of the crackdown, and that the deportations have led to the separation of families and the expulsion of individuals with legal residency or citizenship.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has urged countries not to deport Haitians, emphasizing that Haiti’s current situation makes it unsafe for returns. Despite these warnings, the Dominican Republic’s government appears determined to press ahead with its mass deportation plan, citing a lack of international action in addressing the crisis in Haiti.

Did you like this article?

Did you like this article?

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Posts

Colombian Stars drop massive collab, but not everyone is happy

It looks like " +57" is set to be a monumental track celebrating Colombia's vibrant music scene! The collaboration among these influential Colombian artists represents not only a powerful showcase of their collective talent but also a tribute to the rich musical...

Remembrance Day 2024 in Toronto

Toronto is marking Remembrance Day 2024 with ceremonies across the city. Prospect Cemetery (1450 St Clair Ave. W.): Sunrise service at 8 a.m. with Mayor Olivia Chow in attendance. Meadowvale Cemetery (Brampton): 8 a.m. sunrise ceremony. Old City Hall Cenotaph (50...

Canada shuts down TikTok over National Security risks

The Canadian government has mandated ByteDance to dissolve TikTok's business operations in Canada by the end of 2024 due to national security concerns related to its Chinese ownership and potential data sharing. While access to TikTok will remain for Canadian users,...

Events

Related articles

Homicides reaching record high in Costa Rica

Homicides reaching record high in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is facing rising violence due to the influence of cocaine trafficking. In 2023, homicides reached a record 907, up 38% from 2022. The increase is linked to drug trafficking, especially in...

El Salvador Sees 81% Gains With 722 BTC Acquired

El Salvador Sees 81% Gains With 722 BTC Acquired

El Salvador’s decision to invest in Bitcoin has proven risky but potentially profitable. The country owns 722 Bitcoins, purchased at an average price below $42,000 each. With Bitcoin's current price...