Santo Domingo.- Only 30% of the population identified as group B in the South region’s sugar cane villages (batey) managed to enroll in the Book of Aliens to apply for the benefit of Law 169-14, which provides a fast track for offspring born in the country to uncommented foreigners.
Of 892 children, adolescents and adults descendants of Haitians living in the area’s 19 bateyes, only 219 were able to complete the form and benefit from law prior to the February deadline.
A report by the Sustainable Development Center (Cedeso), which accompanied the people affected by Constitutional Court ruling 168-13, says more than 500 adolescents and youngsters couldn’t register because of the Interior and Police Ministry’s alleged restrictions it affirms aren’t stipulated in Law 169-14, which supports the application of those born in the country.
In addition to Cedeso, the report was presented by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees –UNHCR- and Oxfam in Dominican Republic.