UN High Commissioner's Demands On Haitians 'Unacceptable', Says Leonel

On Sunday, Nov. 13, Leonel Fernández, the former president of the Dominican Republic, referred to the UN High Commissioner Volker Türk's requests that the Dominican government stops deporting Haitians as "unacceptable," said reports.

"The statements by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, reiterating his direct demand to the Dominican Republic to stop deporting Haitian nationals to his country, are not only unacceptable but exceed the mandate to which he is called the High Commissioner to promote human rights, which must always be maintained within the framework of State sovereignty that corresponds to each State," he said.

In the words of the president of the opposition party, "The Dominican Republic retains absolute power in the development and execution of its immigration policies, including deportation proceedings, as long as these are not contrary to public international law."

He cited article 2.7 of the Charter of the United Nations, regarding the principles that govern the operation of the international organization, which establishes that: "No provision in this Charter shall authorize the United Nations to intervene in matters that are essential of the internal jurisdiction of the States”.

Leonel went on to say: "The United Nations official alleges that the situation in Haiti means that the conditions for a safe, dignified, and sustainable return of its citizens do not exist. We recognize the alarming situation of violence that plagues our neighboring country, and we hope that he can overcome this current impasse with the help of the entire international community.

"However, this does not constitute, in international law, an element that limits our sovereign power to establish a migration policy that responds to the needs of our country. Nor does the simple declaration of Mr. Volker Türk constitute it," he established.

With this position established, the former president called on the Office of the High Commissioner to refrain from making statements that are excessive and out of place.

At the same time, he urged the Dominican government to ensure that all deportation procedures adhere to human rights. Nonetheless, he emphasized that the best approach to prevent the need for many deportations is to increase surveillance and control of our border region.