The following is a letter to sent by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to the President of the Dominican Republic, Danilo Medina with respect to the controversial court ruling by the Dominican Republic, which affects the immigration status of Haitian nationals.
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| President of Haiti, Michel Martelly (L) and CARICOM chair, PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad & Tobago |
Your Excellency,
I write to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 25th November, 2013 advising of your Government’s efforts to implement the judgment of the Constitutional Court (TC 168-13) issued on 23rd September, 2013.
I write to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 25th November, 2013 advising of your Government’s efforts to implement the judgment of the Constitutional Court (TC 168-13) issued on 23rd September, 2013.
Moreover, I am aware that on 29thNovember, 2013 you signed decree 327-13, which establishes the terms and conditions for the legalisation of “foreigners” with irregular status in the Dominican Republic.
Regrettably, in my respectful view, these efforts fall short of that which is required to address the troubling situation occasioned upon those who have been adversely affected by the judgment.
Regrettably, in my respectful view, these efforts fall short of that which is required to address the troubling situation occasioned upon those who have been adversely affected by the judgment.
In this regard, I wish to highlight the deep concern of my Government with the circumstances confronting those persons who have been deprived of their nationality, who are estimated to number in excess of 200,000. The violation of their right to legal personhood has left many in a state of vulnerability with serious consequences for the full exercise of their human rights. It also contravenes the international human rights obligations freely entered into by the Dominican State.
Excellency, the retroactive aspect of the judgment to 1929 means that generations of some families who previously held Dominican nationality and obtained national identification documents, and exercised their rights in various facets of life in the Dominican Republic such as voting in elections, have been denationalised.
This, to my Government, is unacceptable. Additionally, any commitment to naturalise those persons is at variance with established norms and principles whereby naturalisation frameworks constitute a means for foreign nationals to acquire citizenship. This is not applicable in this instance. Accordingly, I call on you to take steps to restore immediately Dominican nationality to those who have been denationalised.
As the current Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), of which Haiti is a Member State, I am especially disheartened at the disproportionate impact of judgment TC 168-13 on persons of Haitian descent in the Dominican Republic.
Excellency, the retroactive aspect of the judgment to 1929 means that generations of some families who previously held Dominican nationality and obtained national identification documents, and exercised their rights in various facets of life in the Dominican Republic such as voting in elections, have been denationalised.
This, to my Government, is unacceptable. Additionally, any commitment to naturalise those persons is at variance with established norms and principles whereby naturalisation frameworks constitute a means for foreign nationals to acquire citizenship. This is not applicable in this instance. Accordingly, I call on you to take steps to restore immediately Dominican nationality to those who have been denationalised.
As the current Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), of which Haiti is a Member State, I am especially disheartened at the disproportionate impact of judgment TC 168-13 on persons of Haitian descent in the Dominican Republic.
This has led a number of States, International Organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to describe the judgment as discriminatory, thus tarnishing the image of the Dominican Republic globally.
Today, I have seen reports that the Dominican Republic and Haiti will designate two commissions to deal with immigration and trade issues as well as environment and poverty.
Today, I have seen reports that the Dominican Republic and Haiti will designate two commissions to deal with immigration and trade issues as well as environment and poverty.
I welcome this development and wish to congratulate you on taking this step. Nevertheless, the issue of the denationalisation of those who previously held Dominican nationality from 1929 to 2010 must be addressed immediately.
I therefore wish to reiterate my call to exercise bold and decisive leadership by taking immediate steps to restore Dominican nationality to those who have been denationalised. For Trinidad and Tobago, sovereignty should not be invoked as a defence for human rights violations.
I am confident that you and your Government will respond in the manner that we have come to expect of your esteemed country.
On behalf of the People of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and on my own behalf, I extend to you and the People of the Dominican Republic best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Kamla Persad-Bissesssar
Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
December 19, 2013
I am confident that you and your Government will respond in the manner that we have come to expect of your esteemed country.
On behalf of the People of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and on my own behalf, I extend to you and the People of the Dominican Republic best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Kamla Persad-Bissesssar
Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
December 19, 2013
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