Bishops of Haiti, Dominican Republic object to mistreatment of deported Haitians

Haitians at prayer before an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. / Credit: Courtesy of Aid to the Church in Need

ACI Prensa Staff, Oct 18, 2024 / 17:45 pm (CNA).

The bishops of Haiti are echoing their Dominican counterparts in objecting to the immigration measures of the newly elected president of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, who this month announced the implementation of an operation to repatriate up to 10,000 illegal Haitian immigrants per week.

The Dominican government stated that the operation aims to “reduce the excess of migrant population that can be seen in Dominican communities” and that it will be carried out “under strict protocols that ensure respect for human rights and the dignity of those repatriated.”

“Although it is the responsibility of the authorities of each nation to reinforce, when necessary, the security and economic systems of their countries, the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights do not authorize any state to mistreat foreigners,” the Haitian bishops said.

“Mistreating a stranger is an abominable act. Strangers must be welcomed with kindness,” they emphasized, according to Vatican News.

Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. Haitians are largely of African descent and speak Haitian Creole or French. The Dominican Republic is a mixed-race society including people of mixed African, Indigenous, and European ancestry.

Finally, the Haitian bishops asked the authorities of their country, which has been caught in an uncontrollable spiral of violence for several months, to create “safe living conditions through responsible and committed governance so that our fellow citizens can feel at peace, in harmony, in security, and with the hope of a better life.”

“Our fellow citizens need to see in Haiti, our beautiful country, humane socioeconomic conditions that will convince them not to emigrate in search of more humane conditions abroad,” they concluded.

The Dominican bishops’ message

Earlier this month, the Permanent Council of the Dominican Bishops’ Conference stated that it felt the duty to reflect on this delicate issue “that challenges our consciences and our faith.”

Like the Haitian bishops, the Dominican bishops began by recognizing the right of each nation “to apply its immigration laws and policies” but emphasized that they must be applied “with justice and respect for human dignity.”

“Our border should not be a scene of corruption, where those called to guard it become mercenaries. We ask ourselves: Where do illegal Haitians enter? Who allows them to enter without proper documentation? What happens during the process of detaining undocumented immigrants?” the bishops questioned.

The prelates emphasized that the Dominican Republic, being a Christian nation, “must prevent painful situations that affect migrants from occurring,” including unfair treatment, arbitrary deportations, and the separation of families.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.