By Joseph Dorsaintvil
Senior Political Writer, The Haitian Tribune
Task Force in Response to Mass Deportation
Port-au-Prince, October 2024 — The Haitian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Garry Conille, has taken decisive action to address the mass deportation of Haitian migrants from the Dominican Republic. In response to what the Prime Minister has described as a violation of human dignity, an interministerial task force has been established to coordinate diplomatic and humanitarian efforts.
This task force was formed following the Dominican Republic’s recent escalation in its deportation campaign, which began on October 1, 2024. The operation aims to forcibly remove 10,000 Haitian migrants each week, with nearly 5,000 Haitians already repatriated in the first few days. These deportations have sparked widespread outrage among human rights organizations and the Haitian government.
“The brutal scenes of raids and deportations we are witnessing are an affront to human dignity,” Prime Minister Conille declared in a public statement. “This migration policy of the Dominican government violates international human rights standards and fails to respect the basic principles of human dignity. We strongly condemn these dehumanizing acts and demand respect and justice for our people. I have conveyed this position to my Dominican counterpart and informed the relevant international bodies.”
The Haitian government has vowed to work closely with its international partners to ensure that the thousands of deported migrants are received with dignity upon their return. Efforts are being made to provide the necessary support to these individuals, many of whom fled violence and poverty in search of a better life in the Dominican Republic.
In response to this growing humanitarian crisis, the West Department Delegation (DDO) of the Haitian National Police (PNH) is urging all Haitian citizens returning from the Dominican Republic to report to the nearest police station or substation. They are encouraged to request documentation to help them safely return to the West Department. Additionally, those leaving from other areas, particularly the Artibonite region, must carry identification documents. Those without ID are directed to the DDO’s complaints office in Canapé-Vert, Port-au-Prince.
Haitians are returning to their homeland in large numbers, many voluntarily leaving the Dominican Republic due to mass arrests targeting undocumented migrants. Haitian nationals continue arriving at the Dajabón border crossing, most coming from Santiago de los Caballeros. Carrying their belongings, they cross into Ouanaminthe, seeking refuge and safety back in Haiti.
The interministerial task force will focus on addressing the immediate needs of returning migrants while also seeking a long-term solution to the tensions between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing to protect Haitian citizens’ rights and dignity at home and abroad.
This deportation crisis, affecting thousands of Haitian families, highlights the urgent need for international intervention and a unified response to ensure justice for the displaced.
