Santo Domingo.- Dominican President Luis Abinader dismissed Amnesty International’s (AI) allegations that the country enforces discriminatory policies against Haitian migrants, calling them “absurd” during a press conference. He argued that AI should focus on promoting stability in Haiti rather than making accusations against the Dominican government.
AI had urged Dominican authorities to protect the rights of Haitian migrants, stateless individuals of Haitian descent, and people of African descent, condemning alleged structural racism. The organization reiterated its stance on social media, labeling the mass deportation of Haitians as “cruel and racist.” Despite international criticism, the Dominican government continues deportations, citing national security concerns.
Since the policy’s implementation in October, over 151,000 Haitians have been repatriated, with nearly 13,000 deported in the first half of March alone.