AI censures deportation of Haitians

Amnesty International has criticized the Dominican Republic for resuming the deportation of Haitian migrants, which it had suspended since last year’s earthquake in Haiti.

Since Monday, Dominican Republic security forces have been setting up dozens of road blocks on the borders and the outskirts of the capital, Santo Domingo, to stop thousands of Haitians from crossing the border, AFP reported on Friday.

Dominican Republic officials said the move was necessary in order to prevent the spread of cholera, which has killed more than 3,000 individuals in Haiti and sickened nearly 150 others in the Dominican Republic.

However, human rights groups issued a statement on Friday, saying that the Dominican Republic’s authorities should increase efforts to help the country’s neighbor rather than forcing people back to what they call a desperate situation.

The statement also called on Dominican Republic officials to treat Haitians suspected of being infected with cholera and not deport them.

Immigration officials say that at least 950 people have been deported this week.