Can't read it? Listen now!
UNITED NATIONS — The ongoing tensions between Haiti and the Dominican Republic escalated during a United Nations Security Council session on October 23, 2024, as Haitian officials accused their neighbor of conducting mass deportations in violation of human rights and international law. Haiti’s ambassador to the UN, Antonio Rodrigue, described the deportations of Haitian nationals from the Dominican Republic as a severe breach of fundamental rights, calling for international intervention to halt the practice.
Rodrigue urged the global community to stand in solidarity with Haiti, denouncing the deportations as actions that fuel tension between the two nations. “These mass deportations are not only violations of fundamental rights but also contrary to international agreements,” Rodrigue said. He stressed that the deportations threaten peaceful relations between the two countries, which share the island of Hispaniola.
Dominican Response and Immigration Challenges
In response, Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez firmly rejected Haiti’s claims, defending his country’s right to manage its borders and enforce immigration laws. Álvarez argued that halting deportations would effectively result in open borders, which he said would only exacerbate irregular migration into the Dominican Republic. “My government cannot accept this unreasonable call to stop deportations,” Álvarez declared, stressing that controlling immigration is essential for national security.
Álvarez further asserted that the Dominican Republic is not responsible for Haiti’s internal crisis, which has been marked by political instability, gang violence, and widespread poverty. He emphasized the burden his country has carried for decades, dealing with the humanitarian spillover from Haiti’s ongoing turmoil. “The crisis in Haiti is Haiti’s responsibility, worsened by the lack of support from the international community,” Álvarez said, adding that his country continues to bear the weight of migration pressures almost alone.
Rising Deportation Numbers and Humanitarian Impact
The Dominican Republic has significantly increased deportations of Haitian nationals in recent months. Between January and June 2024, the Dominican General Directorate of Migration reported the deportation of 66,227 Haitians. This number surged in October, with 27,352 people deported in just 20 days, as Dominican President Luis Abinader pledged to deport 10,000 people per week.
Álvarez presented statistics to illustrate the strain that Haitian migration places on the Dominican Republic’s infrastructure. He noted that 147,000 Haitian children are currently enrolled in Dominican schools, and 16% of public healthcare beneficiaries are Haitian nationals. “There are limits to what we can manage,” Álvarez concluded.
Calls for International Assistance
Amidst the diplomatic dispute, Haiti is appealing for more robust international support to address the deportations and the broader humanitarian crisis in the country. Rodrigue argued that the international community must intervene to ensure that human rights are respected and that Haitians are not subjected to mass deportations without proper legal procedures.
As the security situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, with rampant gang violence and political instability, migration flows across the Dominican border show no signs of slowing. Both nations, facing significant challenges, are calling for international cooperation, albeit with contrasting perspectives on how to handle the complex dynamics of migration and border security.
