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The Organization of American States (OAS) is set to hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, to address the escalating violence associated with the mass deportations of Haitian migrants from the Dominican Republic. This meeting, scheduled for 3:00 PM (19:00 GMT), was urgently requested by Haiti’s Permanent Mission to the OAS, following instructions from Foreign Minister Dominique Dupuy.
The Dominican Republic has ramped up its deportation efforts, expelling approximately 10,000 undocumented Haitian migrants per week since October 2, 2024. These deportations have been accompanied by widespread reports of brutality and other forms of violence, raising concerns among human rights organizations and prompting the Haitian government to take swift diplomatic action.
Haiti’s Prime Minister Garry Conille condemned the deportations, calling them discriminatory and inhumane. He has ordered the formation of an interministerial task force, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC), the Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE), and other key ministries, to strengthen Haiti’s diplomatic and humanitarian response. The task force aims to address the violence faced by migrants and to coordinate with international partners.
“The brutal, forced, and mass deportation of our Haitian compatriots from the Dominican Republic is a violation of fundamental human dignity,” Conille said. His remarks follow a previous emergency meeting with relevant ministers, local organizations, and international partners.
Foreign Minister Dominique Dupuy echoed these concerns, describing the deportations as “dehumanizing” in a message on social media. She urged international bodies to hold the Dominican Republic accountable for its actions, citing a failure to adhere to international human rights standards. Dupuy has communicated Haiti’s position to her Dominican counterpart, Roberto Álvarez Gil.
In response to the mounting criticism, the Dominican government has defended its deportation policy, stating that it aims to reduce the migrant population and pledging to follow strict protocols to ensure the respect of human rights. However, Haitian officials and organizations, including the Groupe d’Appui aux Rapatriés et Réfugiés (GARR), have expressed alarm over the potential for increased violence and persecution of Haitians in the Dominican Republic. GARR spokesperson Sam Guillaume warned that the situation could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe, with incidents of lynchings and other abuses likely to rise.
The OAS meeting is expected to address these concerns and explore potential solutions to protect Haitian migrants from further violence. The involvement of regional bodies like CARICOM and international organizations such as the United Nations is also anticipated as the crisis unfolds.
