Rights advocate condemnation of DR crackdown on Haitians

A human rights advocate has called on Barbados and CARICOM to denounce the Dominican Republic’s mass deportations of Haitian migrants, labelling the actions as a “blatant attack on human rights” amid escalating international criticism of racial profiling and inhumane treatment.

General Secretary of the Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration, David Denny, said the treatment of Haitian nationals by Dominican authorities is unacceptable and demands a regional response.

His remarks come as the DR intensifies mass deportations of Haitian nationals, drawing international criticism for alleged racial profiling, harsh detention conditions, and deporting individuals without due process.

This comes at a time when Haiti is experiencing one of its worst humanitarian and security crises in decades, with rising unrest marked by gang violence, displacement, and political instability.

“Our organisation does not support the behaviour of the government of the Dominican Republic in relation to the treatment of Haitian people,” Denny told Barbados TODAY.  “We see this as a case against and disrespect for human rights, and we are totally against this kind of behaviour.”

He criticised CARICOM’s response to Haiti’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, describing it as weak and misguided, particularly its endorsement of a Kenyan-led security mission backed by the United States.

“We do not support CARICOM’s position,” Denny said.

“This force is not going into Haiti to keep peace—it’s being used to create the conditions for further exploitation by the United States, France, and Canada, the same countries responsible for much of Haiti’s economic and social problems.”

Denny instead commended countries like Cuba and Venezuela for showing what he described as “true solidarity”, citing Cuba’s deployment of hundreds of medical workers and Venezuela’s support following Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake. He urged other Caribbean nations to follow their example.

He called on the Mia Mottley administration to adopt what he termed a “progressive” approach to addressing the Haitian crisis—one focused on long-term development rather than foreign-led intervention.

“The Government of Barbados needs to support a developmental programme for the Haitian people that will lift them out of poverty,” he said.

“Barbados must also take a strong stand against the actions of the United States, France, and Canada, who are financing and arming gangs that are making the lives of Haitian people unbearable.”

Denny also highlighted Haiti’s revolutionary legacy, stating that the country’s historic role in leading the fight for Black freedom across the Americas has made it a target of global powers.

“Our emancipation in Barbados was influenced by the Haitian rebellion of 1804. That revolution inspired people like Nanny Gregg to teach enslaved Barbadians about the struggle for freedom,” he said. “We owe Haiti our respect and solidarity.”

(SM)