Dominican Republic advances to Tier 2 in human trafficking efforts

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic has advanced to Tier 2 in the United States’ assessment of efforts to combat human trafficking, reflecting increased government action in legislation, criminal investigations, labor inspections, and victim protection.

Among the key measures highlighted in the report is a proposed amendment to Law 137-03 on human trafficking and migrant smuggling. The reform would eliminate the requirement to prove force, fraud, or coercion in trafficking cases involving minors, aligning Dominican legislation with international standards, particularly in cases of sexual exploitation.

Authorities also approved and funded the 2025-2028 National Action Plan Against Human Trafficking and adopted Resolution No. 13-2024 to establish a procedure for issuing identification cards to stateless people. Civil society groups and trafficking survivors were consulted during the legislative reform process.

In criminal enforcement, authorities opened 229 human trafficking investigations and prosecuted 50 suspects under the special law. The report also noted investigations into eight officials allegedly involved in trafficking-related offenses, with legal proceedings initiated against three, including members of the security forces.

Labor inspections increased in vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, construction, and sugar production, reaching 1,050 inspections. Authorities suspended operations at 11 private companies after identifying evidence of suspected forced labor. Meanwhile, a pilot migrant registration program formalized the employment of more than 7,400 workers through employment contracts.

Victim assistance also remained a priority. Authorities identified 136 trafficking victims, of whom 134 received comprehensive, state-funded services, including medical and psychological care, legal assistance, and interpretation. Specialized shelters continued operating through coordination among the Attorney General’s Office, the Ministry of Women, and the National Council for Children and Adolescents (CONANI).

The government also reported ongoing training for law enforcement personnel and multilingual prevention campaigns, alongside measures to protect victims and witnesses during judicial proceedings.