Haiti-Massive deportations from the Dominican Republic: Collective Défenseurs Plus sounds the alarm

In the context of extreme vulnerability in Haiti, the organization denounces, in its March 19 press release, practices that violate fundamental human rights principles.

According to multiple sources cited by the organization, including independent observers, border monitoring agencies, and Dominican authorities such as the Directorate General of Migration (DGM), over 62,000 Haitians have been expelled in the past two months.

The group notes that around 32,000 people were expelled in January and more than 30,500 in February 2026.

These repatriation operations, the statement reads, are being carried out under conditions deemed contrary to international standards, notably toward sensitive border areas such as Jimaní/Malpasse and Anse-à-Pitres/Pedernales, where insecurity remains a concern.

The trend intensified during the first half of March.

Between March 1 and 18, 2026, expulsions at main border crossings intensified notably.

Nearly 7,400 people were turned back at Belladère/Elías Piña, the primary deportation crossing. Ouanaminthe/Dajabón saw about 5,800 expulsions, including vulnerable individuals such as pregnant women, the sick, and unaccompanied children.

Other areas saw more than 2,100 expulsions at Malpasse/Jimaní and about 1,900 at Anse-à-Pitres/Pedernales.

In several cases, those expelled are returned to areas under the control of armed groups, which worsens their already difficult situation.

The Collective Défenseurs Plus denounces serious violations of the American Convention on Human Rights, particularly in the areas of non-discrimination, family protection, and respect for procedural guarantees.

The organization also condemns racial profiling practices and family separations.

According to the group, these expulsions also violate the repatriation protocol signed between Haiti and the Dominican Republic on March 2, 1999, which specifically prohibits nighttime expulsions and family separations.

Another major concern: the Haitian government’s silence. The Collective believes that this inaction in the face of repeated violations of fundamental rights could be perceived as implicit tolerance.

Défenseurs Plus urgently appeals to the international community, especially the United Nations and the Organization of American States, to exert diplomatic pressure on Dominican authorities. It urges the Dominican government to strictly comply with international human rights commitments. The organization requests international partners to strengthen support for overwhelmed reception structures in Haiti. Finally, it calls on Haitian authorities to pursue high-level bilateral dialogue to better protect Haitian nationals.

The Collective also notes the consequences of these deportations, including family separation, increased hardship for migrants, and exposure to security risks upon return to Haiti.

Finally, the organization calls for an urgent, coordinated response to ensure the respect for the fundamental rights of Haitian migrants.

https://ctninfo.com/haiti-massive-deportations-from-the-dominican-republic-collective-defenseurs-plus-sounds-the-alarm/
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