PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti – Haiti has welcomed a reduction in the expulsion of Haitians residing illegally in the Dominican Republic even as the Spanish-speaking country has “categorically denied” that the number of repatriations had been reduced at the request of the Haitian government or international pressure.
Dominique Dupuy and Faride Rafulhas“We welcome the reduction in expulsions, the fruit of our efforts and our solidarity with our (international) allies. Haiti aspires to a frank and respectful dialogue with the government of the Dominican Republic, for an association where each nation finds its advantages,” said Haiti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dominique Dupuy .
In a video statement, she restates previous statements describing the mass expulsions “as discriminatory and racist”.
She said she has brought the cases of mass expulsions before international organizations such as the United Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as well as the UN Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) organizations among others.
But the Minister of the Interior and Police of the Dominican Republic, Faride Rafulhas reacted angrily to the statement by Port au Prince categorically denying that the number of repatriations had been reduced at the request of the Haitian government.
“We categorically deny any allegation regarding an alleged reduction in repatriations at the request of Haiti. The statements of Haitian Foreign Minister Dominique Dupuy are false and seek to interfere in our internal affairs.
“Immigration policy is a sovereign right of each State. No country or international organization has the power to interfere in the internal decisions of the Dominican Republic,” Raful said, adding that the Dominican Republic firmly maintains its commitment to repatriate foreigners in an irregular migratory situation, within the framework of the law and in respect of human rights, but without giving in to external pressures
“The DR reaffirms its commitment to the implementation of its plan…We will pursue the objective of repatriating 0,000 undocumented migrants per week, in the full exercise of our sovereignty, protected by national laws and the Dominican Constitution.”
Raful said that the number of Haitians returned to Haiti between October 2nd and November 5, this year totalled 60,961 including voluntary returns.
Between January and October, 406,860 foreigners, mainly Haitians were deported from the country, said the Director General of Immigration, Luis Rafael Lee Ballester, adding that he has ensured that the processes comply with protocols, respecting the human rights, dignity and integrity of foreigners.
Haiti and the Dominican Republic form the island of Hispaniola, which was formed when European countries struggled to control the New World, with France and Spain fighting for control of the island. They resolved their dispute in 1697 by splitting the island into two colonies.
