Dominican official slams Human Rights body on “stateless” Haitians

Santo Domingo.- Central Electoral Board (JCE) president Roberto Rosario on Tuesday asked the Government to lodge a protest against what he affirms is the Inter-American Human Rights Commission’s constant inconsideration of the Dominican Republic.

He called the Commission’s hearing slated for November 2 "a reckless action with the sole purpose of damaging Dominican Republic’s image."’

Rosario said the Commission was inconsiderate with the Dominican Republic when it summoned it to attend a hearing on alleged human rights violation against people of Haitian descent without providing the established deadline to prepare a defense.

In a press conference, the official said he has already sent to the Foreign Ministry the request to protest the "high level of disrespect to the Dominican Republic as a member state."

The complainants

The JCE president said in all their statements, "the complainants haven’t provided specific facts that demonstrate specific violation of the law," adding that "that makes it impossible for the Electoral Board to provide to the Dominican State information and documents needed to defend our country’s legality and dignity."