Dominican President Luis Abinader announces his refusal to see refugee camps set up in his country and continues his policy of expulsion of illegal Haitian citizens
The Dominican president is categorical, he refuses the installation, even temporary, of refugee camps on his territory.
“The Dominican Republic continues to expel Haitians and does not allow refugee camps on its territory” he said in an interview with the BBC.
While more than 33,0000 Haitians fled the capital to provincial towns because of gang violence, many citizens wanted to find refuge in the Dominican Republic. The neighboring republic having closed all its land, air and sea borders, these exiles found themselves unable to complete their journey.
The journalist questioned Luis Abinader on possible changes in his government’s policy in the face of the humanitarian crisis in Haiti. The Dominican Republic, for its part, continues to expel undocumented Haitians back to their country of origin through the border crossing between the two countries. Santo Domingo has so far ignored calls from international organizations to end expulsions and welcome Haitians fleeing violence.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, asked him to suspend the expulsions while Haiti is going through a terrible catastrophe due to gang violence and sexual assaults against women. Will he do it?
“No, we won’t. We will continue to develop and enforce our laws and our Constitution. I think it is the UN which must act the most. I think the United States wasted a lot of time, especially this unit to help Haiti”declared Luis Abinader unequivocally.
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