The Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) has strongly criticized the migration policy of President Luis Abinader, describing it as “inhumane and improvised,” according to a statement published on the official account of radio station RFM. The main opposition party denounced practices that, in its view, “undermine the dignity of vulnerable people, including pregnant women and minors” (RFM).
“We do not defend sovereignty by humiliating others, but by protecting our people through policies that promote their well-being and safety,” the PLD said in a statement reported by RFM.
For several months, Dominican authorities have been carrying out a large-scale campaign of arrests and deportations of Haitian migrants, including many pregnant women. International organizations and human rights NGOs have already raised alarms, calling these actions serious violations of humanitarian law.
As previously reported by CTNINFO, several pregnant Haitian women have been arrested while seeking medical consultations at Dominican hospitals. Some were in advanced stages of pregnancy and were deported without receiving proper medical care. Other cases have been reported in which women gave birth in precarious conditions after being detained or turned back at the border.
The PLD’s position comes amid growing internal pressure, as segments of the population and institutions express concern over the government’s increasingly security-driven approach. The opposition party is calling for the implementation of migration policies that respect fundamental human rights while ensuring national security.
“The image of our country must not be tarnished by abuses against women, children, and defenseless people,” a PLD spokesperson reportedly said, according to RFM.
So far, President Luis Abinader’s government has not officially responded to the PLD’s accusations. However, the head of state continues to defend his policy as a measure to “protect national sovereignty” in the face of growing migration pressure.
Domestic criticism adds to mounting international condemnation from organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the United Nations, all of which have called for an immediate halt to arbitrary deportations and for the protection of pregnant women and children.
