Assaults with court papers continue, East coast hoteliers warn

La Romana, Dominican Republic.- The La Romana and Bayahibe Hotels Association and the Dominican Republic Hotels and Tourism Association (ASONAHORES) Monday stated their concern with the continuing liens that turn into assaults, with the two latest cases occurring recently.

The hoteliers demand that the Supreme Court, the Justice Ministry, the Armed Forces Ministry and the National Police put an end to the situation, which they affirm severely affects the country’s image as tourist destination and the need for legal security indispensable to attract foreign investment.

In a statement ASONAHORES and the Bayahibe (east) hoteliers said in both cases which took place in that town on September 17 and 22 irregular procedures were conducted without the previous notifications of court orders, and with alleged rulings that affect different companies which are now the owners and operate the businesses. “We don’t demand privileges or impunity, only that the authorities assure that the due process that the constitution guarantees are complied with.”

They cited one case in which a bailiff and two lawyers accompanied by 20 men appeared with an alleged eviction and tried to collect an alleged debt from a company that had been the hotel’s previous proprietor. “They entered the property violently through the public beach without identifying themselves creating an atmosphere that frightened the local and foreign guests who didn’t understand the action carried out with the characteristics of an assault.”

In the second lien turned into an assault, according to the hoteliers, took part military in uniforms, armed officials and a justice of the peace from San Rafael de Yuma to carry out a lien based on a labor court ruling against a company that doesn’t bear any relation to the hotel’s current proprietors. “The presence of the crowd with armed men created an atmosphere of panic in the national and foreign tourists and brought about complaints.”

They said that in both cases Tourism Police agents intervened to stop “lien-assaults’” ringleaders, from materializing their intention without prior notification of the sentences, so the hotels can exert their rights.

The hotel associations added that 10 more such cases have been reported in the last few months, where hotel operations are obstructed with the characteristics of an assault, and without meeting the legal requirements so that the businesses can have the right to defense.