Last week, thirty organizations of the Haitian and Dominican Civil Societies, have met for 2 days in a workshop organized by the Support Group for Returnees and Refugees (GARR) and the Observatory of the Caribbean Migrants (OBMICA ).

In addition to the validation of a report produced by the "Norwegian Peacebuilding Resource Centre" (NOREF) on the dynamics of migration across the Island, this meeting also aimed to develop a common approach around the Dominican Foreign Regulation Plan No. 327-13 of the Dominican Republic.

The report of NOREF allowed to better understand the complexity of irregular migration, the repatriation and denationalization of Dominican of Haitian descent "Although the Dominican government has created a good image of their country in relation to Haiti after the earthquake of January 12, violations of human rights and management of migratory flows remain a 'node throttle' in relations between the two country," declared Ms. Bridget Wooding of the OMMICA, which ensured the presentation of the report.

She emphasized on the role to be played by Haitian and Dominican Civil Societies in the establishment of a harmonious relationship between the two peoples "The organizations of civil society on both sides of the island should engage in advocacy so that we can achieve real change in the Haitian-Dominican relations and the rights of Haitian migrants."

For its part, William Charpentier of the Organization "Mesa Nacional para la Migracion y el Refugio," focused on the problems of Regulation Plan published by the Dominican government in November 2013. Stressing among other things, the confusion surrounding the nationality of Dominicans issue in the judgment TC 168-13 and the regularization of foreign irregular migrants (mostly Haitian).

In his speech, Juan Carlos Gonzalez, of the organization "Dominicanos por Derechos" said "Any person born in the Dominican Republic has the right initially to Dominican nationality. The decision of the Constitutional Court of my country creates social exclusion affecting nearly five generations. This is absurd and unacceptable [...]" arguing for the unity of organizations of the Dominican Civil Society in order to force the withdrawal of the judgement.

Jean Philippe Thomas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of GARR, reiterated the commitment of the institution in the struggle for the respect of Haitian migrants.

At the end of this workshop, organizations of Haitian and Dominican Civil societies have adopted a joint statement that manifests their total disagreement with the inclusion in this Plan of Dominicans born in the Dominican Republic From foreign parents in irregular migratory situation. While reaffirming their commitment to work towards the development of brotherhood between the two peoples, these organizations are committed to work to strengthen the ties of cooperation and communication by establishing a mechanism for monitoring the decisions taken during the binational workshop.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-10297-haiti-social-garr-concerned-by-the-joint-statement-of-january-7.html

HL/ HaitiLibre