Dominican Republic Faces Criticism Over Haitian Deportations

The Dominican Republic has deported nearly 11,000 Haitians in the past week as part of a controversial mass repatriation policy, citing concerns over immigration and gang violence in Haiti. Haitian officials have condemned this action as a strategy of 'ethnic cleansing', arguing it exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in Haiti and puts deportees at risk. The Haitian government has called for an emergency meeting at the Organization of American States (OAS) to address the situation, with Ambassador Gandy Thomas labeling the deportations as discriminatory and dehumanizing. In response, the Dominican government has defended its actions as compliant with international law and stemming from significant migratory pressure. Haiti has initiated the formation of a Multisectoral Task Force to manage the reception and care of deported migrants. The escalating tensions between the two nations highlight deep-rooted issues regarding immigration and human rights on the island of Hispaniola.