Amnesty International has expressed strong objections to the Dominican Republic’s new health protocol, which necessitates that migrants present documentation and pay fees to receive public healthcare. The group has criticized the protocol as being discriminatory and potentially in violation of international human rights standards. Amnesty’s concerns are primarily focused on how these regulations may impact vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women and children, by discouraging them from seeking necessary medical care. The protocol allegedly reinforces racial discrimination against migrants, particularly those from Haiti, as outlined in Amnesty’s statement.
Announced on April 6, the protocol involves a series of 15 migration measures, which include repatriating migrant patients post-medical care regardless of their circumstances. This measure has stirred debate, as it may contravene various conventions against collective expulsion and the non-refoulement principle under international law, including the 1951 Refugee Convention. Concerns extend to implications under national laws concerning racial discrimination, linked to the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Ana Piquer, America’s director at Amnesty International, emphasized the need for the Dominican President Luis Abinader to promote measures that strengthen the healthcare system rather than implementing policies exposing migrants to possible deportation after medical care. Such actions might not only infringe upon the right to health but also dehumanize undocumented persons, potentially risking lives due to deterred access to essential healthcare services, as described in Amnesty’s recent report.
Amnesty’s call for action urges the Dominican Republic to halt the collective expulsion of Haitian migrants and repeal discriminatory migration policies, particularly as the region faces heightened humanitarian and safety challenges. In light of ongoing gang violence and political instability in Haiti, the exodus from the country continues to rise, with the UN calling for international community intervention to address the worsening crisis.