Hundreds of organizations and individuals have signed an open letter to Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina to stop the mass deportation and ethnic cleansing of Haitian-Dominicans NOW! http://bit.ly/HaitianLivesMatter

An Open Letter to Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina:

President Danilo Medina
Avenida México
Gazcue, Distrito Nacional
Santo Domingo, República Dominicana

President Danilo Medina,

We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the impending mass deportations which are scheduled to take place as early as June 18, 2015. At a minimum, the undersigned urge the Dominican Republic to halt its plan to expel thousands of individuals of Haitian descent, and further urge the citizenship reinstatement of those Dominicans of Haitian descent adversely affected by the Dominican Republic Constitutional Tribunal’s ruling No. 168-13, without the arduous and flawed process laid out in Naturalization Law No. 169-14.

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Furthermore, these laws not only violate international laws and conventions, they also create a harmful xenophobic and racist environment against all dark skinned Haitians in the Dominican Republic. The undersigned call on the Dominican Government to take affirmative steps to quell the wave of xenophobia, hatred and violence against people of Haitian descent. Violent acts against individuals of Haitian descent living in the Dominican Republic have been widely reported on, and the international community is gravely concerned about the potential for the deportations to place anyone suspected of being of Haitian descent in danger for their personal safety. The Dominican government should suspend any mass deportations in the absence of transparency regarding the protocols and in light of the disorganization and clear problems inherent in the registration process under Naturalization Law 169-14.

The undersigned are similarly troubled by the lack of proactive response by the Haitian government to advocate on behalf of the Dominicans of Haitian descent and Haitian nationals impacted by this decision.

Supposedly the 169-14 naturalization law was meant to offer an avenue for those impacted by the 168-13 ruling to “regularize” their status, but in reality that law provides an unrealistic and oppressive path for those affected by 168-13 to re-register their citizenship. The New York Times reported on the difficulties of the regularization process. And as Greg Grandin reports regarding the centers set up by the Dominican government, “The offices are overcrowded, understaffed, and the needed paperwork doesn’t exist (many Dominicans of Haitian descent were born in rural areas, since their parents came to work the sugar fields, with midwifes and not in hospitals, and were therefore never issued birth certificates).”

We are calling upon the Governments of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, multilateral institutions, the Dominican and Haitian Diaspora, as well as human rights groups,and the global community to take action against this state-sponsored ethnic cleansing of Dominicans of Haitian and Caribbean descent. Specifically, we reiterate our recommendations to the Dominican Government to:

▪ Take all permissible actions to minimize the adverse impact of Constitutional Court ruling No. 168-13
▪ Create a clear path for Dominicans of Haitian descent to regain their citizenship
▪ Stop all mass deportations to Haiti
▪ Afford Haitian Immigrants in the Dominican Republic the rights of due process

We further urge the Haitian government to ensure human rights protections for every Dominican of Haitian descent and its own nationals living in the Dominican Republic.

We thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Organizations and individuals that have signed off:

Fanm Ayisyen Nan Miyami/Haitian Women of Miami (FANM)
Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti (IJDH)
Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR)
Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC)
Dream Defenders
Black Immigration Network (BIN)
Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI)
Ferguson Action
Global Justice Clinic, NYU School of Law (Does not purport to represent the institutional views, if any, of NYU)
Community Justice Project
New Orleans Workers’ Center for Racial Justice
Racial Justice NOW!
South Florida Voices for Working Families
South Florida Interfaith Worker Justice
Progressive Jewish Action of South Florida
CODEPINK: Women for Peace!
State Representative Daphne Campbell
Nancy Treviño, Community Advocate, Miami, FL
William P Quigley, Professor of Law, Loyola University New Orleans
Krystina François, Community Activist, Miami, FL
Mecca a.k.a. Grimo, Haitian Activist, Miami, FL
Alejandra Lily, Voz Hispana Cambio Comunitario
Elizabeth Taveras, Florida Immigrant Coalition, FL
Mayron Payes, American National Association, SANA
Edwin Argueta, Jobs with Justice, MA
Prospere Charles, 1804 Institute, DC
Salandra Benton, Black Women’s Roundtable, FL
Lisa Haugaard, Latin America Working Group, DC
Ola Osaze, Black Alliance for Just Immigration, CA
Maxime Coles, President Association of the Haitians physicians abroad, KS
Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Voces de la Frontera, WI
Laura Camilo, Legal Services of Southern Piedmont, NC
Andy Marte, Georgetown University, NY
Colette Bresilla, Colette B. Studio, MA
Astrid Silva, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, NV
Regine N., BAJI, CA
Pamela Gomez, Dominican Association of Tampa, FL
Andre Peck, Haitian Centers Council, Inc., NY
Marie Lynn Toussaint, Haitian Congress, IL
Marlon Hill, Caribbean Bar Association , FL
Maria Mejia, SEIU, NY
Thanu, New York Immigration Coalition
Lauren Stewart, Solidarity Center, DC
Mary Anne, SEIU 32BJ, PA
Connie de la Vega, Human Rights Advocates, CA
Jennie A. Figueroa, SEIU Florida State Council, FL
Rosario Soto, Family and Community Resources, FL
Maria asuncion Bilbao, United Families, FL
Blaine Bookey, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS), CA
Jeremy Wilson, 32BJ SEIU, FL
Dale Ewart, 1199 SEIU, FL
Joesph, 1199 SEIU, FL
Sarah Davila-Ruhaak, Human Rights Clinic at The John Marshall Law School, FL
Monica Russo, 1199 SEIU, FL
Shirley Pierre-Louis, NY
Ronald Pate, Black Lives Matter – Ottawa Coalition, ON
Diane, Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement (BDS)
Michele, Educators Network for Social Justice
Serena Perez, Florida New Majority, FL
Jeena Shah, Visiting Assistant Clinical Professor of Law, Rutgers School of NJ
Anthony Jordan, NY
Anana Harris Parris, Sister CARE Alliance, GA
Cathleen Caron, Global Workers Justice Alliance,NY
Ricci Woodhull, Sexual Freedom Alliance, DC
NISGUAIA
Agnes Johnson, NY
Nina Timothy, Dream Defenders, MD
Joetta Jefferson, IL
Jack Dickens, University of South Florida, FL
Claunick Duronville, NY
Zakiya Sankara-Jabar, Racial Justice NOW!, OH
Ernst B Michel, HAPANEF, FL
Jean Mecknic Derisca, FANM, INC., FL
Ejim Dike, US Human Rights Network,GA
David Baluarte, Immigrant Rights Clinic, Washington & Lee University School of Law, VA
Billy Hall, Florida International University, FL
Monica Barberouuse, Fanm Ayisyen Nan Miyami, FL
Audrey Bomse, National Lawyers Guild, FL
Kevin Murray, Program on Human Rights and the Global Economy, MA
Mrs. Ollie, Attorney at Law, TX
Marie st. Aude, NY
Jonathan Fried, WeCount!, FL
Stephan Edel, NY
Jeffrey L. Edison, National Conference of Black Lawyers, MI
Gulf Coast Center for Law & Policy,LA
PNNY
Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, NY
Educators’ Network for Social Justice, WI
EvanMccrary, CA
Hillary Exter, Fordham Law School, NY
Barbara Olivier, NY
Firelight Media, NY
Ayiti Underground, FL
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated, NY
Darius Simpson, MI
Tananarive Due, Dark Dream Productions,CA
Darlene Crumedy, CA
Danielle Robinson,DC
Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti, MA
Glen, NISGUA
Ricci Levy, Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance
Cathleen Caron, Global Workers Justice Alliance
Anana Harris Parris, SisterCARE Alliance
Jeena Shah, Visiting Assistant Clinical Professor of Law, Rutgers School of Law
Serena Perez, Florida New Majority
Gulf Coast Center for Law & Policy
Melanie Willingham-Jaggers
Jeffrey L. Edison, National Conference of Black Lawyers
Jonathan Fried, WeCount!
Ollie, Attorney at Law
Kevin Murray, Program on Human Rights and the Global Economy
Audrey Bomse, National Lawyers Guild
Monica Barberouuse, Fanm Ayisyen Nan Miyami
Billy Hall, Florida International University
David Baluarte, Immigrant Rights Clinic, Washington & Lee University School of L
Ejim Dike, US Human Rights Network
Jean Mecknic Derisca, FANM, INC.
Ernst B Michel, HAPANEF
Zakiya Sankara-Jabar, Racial Justice NOW!
Jack Dickens, University of South Florida
Nina Timothy, Dream Defenders
Kermshlise, Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti
Tananarive Due, Dark Dream Productions
David, DePaul University
Barry, Phi Beta Sigma fraternity Incorporated
Barry, Phi Beta Sigma fraternity Incorporated
Barry, Phi Beta Sigma fraternity Incorporated
Romy AyitiUnderground
Michele, Educators’ Network for Social Justice
Diane, BDS
Ronald Pate, Black Lives Matter – Ottawa Coalition
Monica Russo, 1199SEIU Florida
Sarah Davila-Ruhaak, International Human Rights Clinic at The John Marshall Law School
Lucio Perez-Reynozo, American Friends Service Committee – Miami Program
Joseph, 1199 SEIU
Dale Ewart, 1199 SEIU
Jeremy Wilson, 32BJ SEIU
Blaine Bookey, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS)
Maria Bilbao, United Families
Steven Forester, Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti
Elizabeth Taveras, Florida Immigrant Coalition
Rosario Soto, Family and Community Resources
Vladimir, Kote Nou
Nadjejda Chapoteau
Laura Martin, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada
Rita, Rj Media
Elisa, University of California Davis
Dadeloune Norelus
Jennie A. Figueroa, SEIU Florida State Council
Connie de la Vega, Human Rights Advocates
Clarise, Soka Gakkai International-USA
Jae, Chancellor Hall, UWI
CODEPINK
Stuart, City University of New York Lehman College
Mary Anne, SEIU 32BJ
Unai Montes-Irueste
Anna, Community Activist
Lauren Stewart, Solidarity Center
Thanu Yakupitiyage, New York Immigration Coalition
Arissa, BYP 100
Maria Mejia, SEIU
Marlon Hill, Caribbean Bar Association
Marie Lynn Toussaint, Haitian Congress
Kenol, Federation des Associations Regionales Haitiennes de la Diaspora
National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities
Andre Peck, Haitian Centers Council, Inc.
Pamela Gomez, Dominican Association of Tampa
Francine Sheran, SEIU
Regine N., Black Alliance for Just Immigration
Astrid Silva, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada
Colette Bresilla, Colette B. Studio
Andy Marte, Georgetown University
Laura Camilo, Legal Services of Southern Piedmont
Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Voces de la Frontera
Urban Justice Center
Maxime coles, President Association of the Haitians physicians abroad
Ola Osaze, Black Alliance for Just Immigration
Lisa Haugaard, Latin America Working Group
Nyasha Grayman-Simpson, Durango Unido en Chicago
Salandra Benton, Black Women’s Roundtable
Greater NYC for Change
Nunotte, Roxbury Community College
Rita, Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL)
Cindy, Concerned Global Citizen
Andrea Leon-Grossmann
Prospere Charles, 1804 Insttitute
Edwin Argueta, Jobs with Justice
Mayron Payes, Salvadoran American National Association, SANA
Alejandra Lily, Voz Hispana Cambio Comunitario
Alejandra Lily, Voz Hispana Cambio Comunitario
Candice, The Davis Bozeman Law Firm
Amy Selvius, Community Activist, AFSCME
Lydia, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
Luis, Long island hispanic soccer federation
Aysha, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
Rufaro Gwarada, Priority Africa Network
Archangelo Joseph, Organic-way Mathematics Consulting
Soeurette Michel, Michel Law Firm
William Minter, AfricaFocus Bulletin
Patrick, Haitian-American Professional Network
Raynald Louis, Radio Kajou
Luis Ojeda, California Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance
Robbie, Causa Justa:: Just Cause
Marie Josee, Midwest Association of Haitian American Women
Kervins Duval, Office of San Francisco Supervisor David Campos
Gerald, Priority Africa Network
Nicole, UNITE HERE Local 2850
Jude Azard, Broward Human Trafficking Coalition
Phillip, Hazen Foundation
Dante, Million Hoodies Movement for Justice
Raymond Lee Eurquhart, Southside Neighborhood Association of Durham
Jean Dominique, Haitian American Association of Brevard
Deborah Gaffaney, Greater NY for Change
Kerlens, Alliance Saint Martial
Jose Perez, LATINOJUSTICE PRLDEF
Emilio Garcia, C. L. S
Kim, Noise Runs
Maria Elena Durazo, UNITE HERE!
Meizhu Lui, Board, Highlander Center Research and Education Center
Jon, California Immigrant Policy Center
Azadeh Shahshahani, National Lawyers Guild
Ruth Jeannoel, Power U Center for Social Change
Idler, Haitian American Association of Brevard
Hiram Rivera, Philadelphia Student Union
Rachel, 32BJ
Chris Getowicz, Students for a Democratic Society
Stephen, Spectacular Sound
Stephanie, Haitian Professionals of Philadelphia
Alfonso Maciel, Teamster/CWA
Sevigne, Haitian American Professional Coalition
Marie Fonrose, MCCC
Anne-Kenya Dubuisson
Gesner Jean Philippe, HAPANEF
Vanessa Bernadotte, Florida Coastal School of Law
Jacques, Haitian Diaspora Advocacy Group
Rev. Dieufort J Fleurissaint, Haitian American United of Massachussetts
Ivette Cabrera, Viophilia
Arturo J. Carrillo, GW Law School
Carmel Joseph, Catholic Legal Services
Alcide, Human Race
Sara, HELO Haiti
Elisabeth Kennedy, HELO Haiti
Adrian Madriz, Miami Workers Center
Saranah Holmes, RFK human rights
Natalie Kelly, Unite Here
Jean-Claude Lebrun, MOÏSE
Stephanie Louidor, Leap of Hope Foundation
Wendy Chambers, University of Florida
Idalin Abby, Hands Up United
Sara Mersha, Grassroots International
Onyinye Alheri, Public Health Institute
Rachel Laforest, Right To The City Alliance
Marilyn Fetterhoff, Concerned citizens of US
Cassy Pierre, Catholic Legal Services
Gepsie Metellus, Haitian Neighborhood Center, Sant La
Marjorie Lozama, HAPC
Damian De Lein, Official Logic Enterprizes
Isabel Vinent, Palm Beach County Coalition for Immigrant Rights
Yolanda Avula, Red MX
Jacques Leblanc, Haitian American Community Association
Raul Hernandez, Catholic Legal Services of the Archdiocese of Miami
Javier Silva, San Diego Dream Team
Anne Pierre, SEIU
Tatiana Bacchus, Teaspoon & Pound Media
Miriam Mejia, Coalición dominicana en contra del racismo.
Saurav Sarkar, South Asia Labor Watch
Naim Edwards,Voices for Earth Justice
Nancy Gold, Grassroots International
Nancy Romer, Brooklyn College
Stephen Bartlett, Agricultural Missions, Inc
Michael Leon Guerrero, Climate Justice Alliance
Rae Breaux, Rising Tide North America
Vanessa Ramos, Asociación Americana de Juristas
Vanessa Urbina
Domingo Pena, PRM- Human Rights Commitee Bronx
Deborah Castro, Feminism Is For Everyone, Miami
Rosie Hinnebush, NLG; Amnesty International
Carline Desire, Association of Haitian Women in Boston
Agnes Ferguson, 1199SEIU
Ozella Brundidge, Jeanette’s House of Refuge
Antoinette William-Tutt
Maribel, Acción Afro-Dominicana
Adrienne Cabout, Black Lives Matter Portland
Daniel Barajas, Young American Dreamers
Marcia Soto, Durango Unido en Chicago
Haiti Action Committee
Paul De Lyrot, Cardow Jewlers
Saina Behnejad, Amnesty International FSU
Giles Charleston, Association of Haitian Professionals (AHP)
Melody Powers, Bay Area Black United Fund
J. Patrick Cherestal, Association of Haitian Professionals
Dale Corvino, Greater NYC for Change
Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment
Nattacha Wyllie, Haitian American Art Network, Inc.
Wilma Tamayo, Feerick Center for Social Jusitce of Fordham Law School
Marley Pulido, Centreville Labor Resource Center
Jacky Chery, United Haitians Living Abroad
Tristan Quinn-Thibodeau
Elizabeth Yeampierre, UPROSE
Antonia Edwards, Feerick Center for Social Jusitce of Fordham Law School
Cheryl Little, Americans for Immigrant Justice
Jacki Rand, University of Iowa
Jean-Robert Emanual, AHP
Melanie Cool, Manje Mirak Inc.
Casey Llewellyn, Criminal Justice Initiative
Gemma Solimene, Clinical Associate Professor of Law Fordham University
Dr. Howard Ehmran
Dr. Jemima Pierre
Stephanie Garry Garfunkel, U.S. Peace Corps
Levis Torres, We Count!
Jose Luis Giuterriez, NALACC
Dominique Hernandez, NYS youth leadership council
Angela Sanbrano, Red Mexicana
Samantha Jacob, Miami-Dade County
Chris Iberle, Community Alliance for Global Justice
Isidoro Quezafa, The farmworkers association of florida inc.
Jack Leiberman, South Florida Progressive Jewish Action
Adonis Flores, Michigan United
Black Youth Project 100
Francois Adrien, pikliz.com
Haitian Empowerment Gina Cheron
Gepsie Metellus, Haitian Neighborhood Center, Sant La