In response to reports of the death of a young man of possible Haitian origin during a migration operation in Verón, Punta Cana, on 3 October, Ana Piquer, Amnesty International’s Americas Director, said:
“No death occurring in the context of migration enforcement operations should go uninvestigated. The Dominican authorities are obliged to ensure a prompt, independent, impartial and thorough investigation to establish what happened, determine responsibility and ensure justice for his family.”
The Dominican authorities are obliged to ensure a prompt, independent, impartial and thorough investigation to establish what happened, determine responsibility and ensure justice for his family.”
Ana Piquer, Amnesty International’s Americas Director.
“For years, Amnesty International, as well as Dominican and Haitian organizations, have documented practices of racial profiling, arbitrary detention, collective expulsions and other forms of violence and discrimination in the context of the state’s migration policies. The authorities must take this context into account in their investigations and ensure that those responsible for human rights violations are held accountable.”
“It is vital that the authorities fully clarify the circumstances in which firearms were used, determine whether their use was lawful, and examine any possible discriminatory motives in the conduct of law enforcement officials. The intentional use of lethal force is permissible only when several conditions have been met and when it is strictly unavoidable in order to protect life. A person’s migration status can never justify the unlawful use of force.”
“The absence of effective investigations and accountability in response to allegations of violence and human rights violations during migration operations fuels a climate of impunity that allows these abuses to continue. The Dominican state has an obligation not only to investigate this death, but also to put an end to policies and practices that violate human rights and discriminate against people on the basis of their national origin or skin colour.”
The Dominican state has an obligation not only to investigate this death, but also to put an end to policies and practices that violate human rights and discriminate against people on the basis of their national origin or skin colour.”
Ana Piquer, Amnesty International’s Americas Director.
“The authorities must ensure that no one loses their liberty, safety or life as a result of a migration policy shaped by racism. Violence, discrimination and impunity cannot continue to be part of the state’s response to migration.”
Background information
According to media reports, on 3 October a young Haitian man died after being shot by an officer from the General Directorate of Migration during a migration operation in Verón, Punta Cana. The young man sustained a gunshot wound to the left side of his chest. Media reports stated that, according to the preliminary medical assessment, he died from haemorrhagic shock associated with a gunshot wound.
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