Santo Domingo.- Amnesty International (AI) responded to Dominican Vice President Raquel Peña’s denial of racist immigration policies in the country, expressing disappointment that her remarks merely dismissed the evidence of mistreatment of Haitian citizens. AI stated that the evidence of such mistreatment, supported by testimonies, statistics, and images, cannot be ignored and criticized the government’s refusal to address these issues, which undermines public trust and harms those the state is meant to protect.
Ana Piquer, Amnesty’s Americas director, reiterated the call for the Dominican government to reform its immigration policies, urging it to address and rectify racist practices that violate human rights. This includes adhering to international obligations and domestic laws that prohibit the deportation of pregnant women and minors.
Vice President Peña had previously asserted that the country is merely defending its sovereignty and rejected claims of racist policies, insisting that international organizations should respect national policies. Her comments followed an Amnesty International statement urging President Luis Abinader to prioritize human rights and address alleged discriminatory practices affecting Haitians during his second term.