UN warns of rising deportations of Haitian mothers and newborns from Dominican Republic
24 April 2025
The UN has raised concern over a growing number of vulnerable Haitians – particularly pregnant women, new mothers, and infants – being deported from the Dominican Republic.
According to the UN migration agency, IOM, recent weeks have seen an increase in the deportation of women, including those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as well as children and newborn babies.
The agency has emphasised the heightened risks these groups face being returned to Haiti, where access to basic services remains severely limited.
On Tuesday alone, IOM staff at the Belladère border crossing in Haiti received 416 deportees, including 11 pregnant women and 16 women who are still breastfeeding.
Meeting the needs
“While IOM teams are not present during the deportation process itself, their efforts focus on the needs of deportees upon arrival, many of whom arrive in precarious and highly vulnerable conditions, often without any resources,” said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, speaking in New York.
More:
https://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/news/2025/04/105632/un-warns-rising-deportations-haitian-mothers-and-newborns-dominican
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Luis Abinader defends strong border security measures
Laura Gamba |
25.04.2025 - Update : 25.04.2025
BOGOTA, Colombia
The Dominican Republic's president on Thursday dismissed criticism from Amnesty International regarding alleged racist immigration policies in the country, urging the organization to instead focus on the human rights situation in Haiti.
"I urge Amnesty International to go work in Haiti, to address the human rights situation in Haiti. They should not abandon Haiti, and I ask the international community to do likewise,” Luis Abinader told reporters during a visit to Dajabon along the Haitian border. “Our responsibility, and my responsibility, is to defend the Dominican Republic,” he added.
His remarks followed Amnesty’s demand Wednesday for an immediate halt to the mass expulsion of Haitians from the Dominican Republic.
The human rights organization has condemned the Abinader administration's recent health protocol, asserting that it infringes upon the right to health and dehumanizes undocumented migrants by deterring them from seeking medical care and jeopardizing their lives.
The protocol mandates that migrants present identification, a work certificate and proof of residence to access medical services in public hospitals. It further stipulates that individuals with irregular immigration status will be deported after receiving medical treatment.
More:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/dominican-republic-s-president-dismisses-rights-organization-s-criticism-urges-focus-on-haiti/3548081
