The Dominican Republic is deporting Haitians and Dominicans of Haitian descent at an increasing rate and without any consideration for human rights. AfroResistance calls for all people of conscience to stand with Haitians and Dominicans of Haitian descent and support those struggling against this inhumane campaign.
Originally published in AfroResistance.
AfroResistance, was founded in 2004 because of Haiti’s enduring legacy of liberation, and it fully condemns the ongoing mass deportations and human rights abuses being carried out by the Dominican Republic under President Luis Abinader. The government’s actions, targeting Haitians, Dominicans of Haitian descent, and anyone presumed to be Haitian based on racial profiling, are clear violations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). These actions are not only an affront to human dignity but also constitute racialized attacks on Black communities, deepening already existing social inequalities.
This year alone, over 66,000 people have been forcibly deported from the Dominican Republic, and plans are in place to expel 10,000 individuals per week, potentially displacing half a million people by the end of 2024. This aggressive deportation campaign is carried out without regard for individuals (These challenges were discussed in depth during AfroResistance’s July 2024 regional call, titled "Challenges and Realities of the Haitian Population Beyond the Dominican Border, with the Voices of the Diaspora." We highlighted the intricate struggles of the Haitian population as they face extreme poverty, compounded by ongoing political turmoil and recurring natural disasters) legal status or ties to the country, violating Article 9 of the UDHR, which guarantees that "no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile." Many of these individuals, including children born in the Dominican Republic, are being sent to a Haiti they do not know, a country that is in the midst of multiple crises.
This aggressive deportation campaign is carried out without regard for individuals legal status or ties to the country, violating Article 9 of the UDHR, which guarantees that "no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile." Many of these individuals, including children born in the Dominican Republic, are being sent to a Haiti they do not know, a country that is in the midst of multiple crises.
Haiti, the Dominican Republic’s neighboring country, is grappling with political instability and social unrest, both that have been mostly created and exacerbated by U.S. interventions, plus, frequent natural disasters. Deporting people into this environment exacerbates their vulnerability and violates Article 25 of the UDHR, which affirms the right to an adequate standard of living, including food, shelter, and medical care.
Additionally, the March 2024 event hosted by AfroResistance, "Realities and Challenges of the Haitian Population in the Dominican Republic from the Voices of Women" brought attention to the specific experiences of Haitian women and girls in the Dominican Republic. This event, with Haitian women activists, shed light on the complex and often painful realities facing women and girls of Haitian descent. Their struggles are compounded by the intersection of gender, anti-Haitian racism, precarious immigration status, and economic exclusion. These factors contribute to a life marked by human rights violations, discrimination, and resistance. This situation is a clear violation of Article 5 of the UDHR, which prohibits "cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment."
As the Dominican government continues its racially discriminatory deportation campaign, it is violating the right to nationality, as enshrined in Article 15 of the UDHR, which states that "everyone has the right to a nationality" and that "no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of their nationality." The Dominican Republic's refusal to recognize Dominicans of Haitian descent as citizens, effectively rendering them stateless, is a gross violation of their human rights. Statelessness leaves these individuals without legal protection, heightening their vulnerability to abuse and exploitation.
AfroResistance urges the international community, human rights organizations, and all people of conscience to stand in solidarity with Haitians, Dominicans of Haitian descent, and anyone presumed to be Haitian.
We demand that the Dominican government:
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Immediately cease all deportations of Haitian nationals, the Dominican population of Haitian descent, and anyone assumed to be Haitian.
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Restore the legal status and human rights of those who have been unjustly deported and provide reparations for the harm caused.
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Put an end to all forms of racial discrimination, xenophobia, anti-Haitian sentiment, and the hate speech that has escalated in recent years.
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Hold accountable those individuals and institutions who have violated human rights and commit to a responsible immigration policy that prioritizes respect for life and fundamental human rights.
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Immediately stop direct attacks on human rights organizations, and ensure the protection of defenders who fight for social justice.
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We demand the guarantee of respect for human rights with a gender perspective, where the voices and experiences of women and Afro-descendant people are prioritized.
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End the criminalization of public protests.
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Acknowledge the economic, social, and cultural contributions of the entire population currently being deported from the Dominican Republic.
AfroResistance also recognizes and supports the critical work of organizations on the ground that are fighting for the rights of migrants and Black communities. Some of the groups that we collaborate with and thus recommend people follow and support include: The Grupo de Apoyo a Repatriados y Refugiados (GARR), with the Red Hemisférica para los Derechos de los Migrantes Haitianos (REDMHA), Movimiento de Mujeres Dominico Haitianas (MUDHA), the Red de Mujeres Negras, the Colectiva Mujer y Salud, Movimiento Reconocido, and Iniciativa Muñecas Negras. These organizations are at the forefront of combating racial injustice, supporting women and girls, and demanding accountability for human rights violations.
Haiti’s proud legacy as the first Black republic and a global symbol of resistance against slavery and oppression is a powerful reminder of the fight for freedom and dignity for all Afro-descendant people. AfroResistance will continue to defend these values, and we stand firm against the Dominican Republic’s attempts to dehumanize and persecute Black and Haitian communities.
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