The decision of the Dominican Republic Constitutional Court goes against human right principles!

The PSI Regional Committee against Racism and Xenophobia, in its meeting held on 21 and 22 November 2013, in Bogotá, Colombia, expressed deep concern about the decision of the Dominican Republic Constitutional Court to take citizenship away from thousands of people who were born in the Dominican Republic. This unacceptable ruling threatens the very livelihoods of the individuals and families who are affected. In fact, it threatens the entire society.

Without the necessary documents, these people cannot access public services that are vital to ensuring a life of dignity in a civilised society. They will suffer even greater discrimination. These women and men have contributed to the growth and development of the society and economy in which they now live.

The Committee is proposing a campaign to boycott tourism to the Dominican Republic, until the issue of Dominican-Haitians is resolved and proposes a broader discussion of this issue within PSI.

The meeting was organized with the support of the AFL-CIO Center for Solidarity and gathered representatives from the Southern Cone, Brazil, the Andean countries, Central America, the Caribbean and the USA, the Interamerican Institute for Racial Equality (Instituto Interamericano para la Igualdad Racial – INSPIR), the National Union School (Escuela Nacional Sindical – ENS), the Afro-Colombian Labour Council (Consejo afrocolombiano del Trabajo – CLAF) and the PSI LGBT Committee.

The meeting discussed the monitoring of the Plan of Action adopted in Cartagena, the violations of the rights of Dominican-Haitian workers in the Dominican Republic, the OAS Convention against all forms of discrimination, the ratification and implementation of ILO Convention 111 and the need for stronger partnerships with other organisations.

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