By Sovereign Hager

Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

PETIONVILLE, Haiti – The Dominican Republic’s treatment of Haitian migrants was protested by over 150 people in front of the Dominican Embassy after the lynching of a Haitian migrant in the Dominican Republic. Carlos Nerílus was tortured and beheaded on May 2nd, as an angry mob watched and took pictures. There is no evidence that local authorities took any action to stop the lynching.

Haitian immigrants have increasingly been victims of mob violence in recent years. A report by Amnesty International found there to be “deep rooted racial discrimination” against Haitians in the Dominican Republic. The report can be found here.

Human Rights groups have expressed concern about discrimination and mass expulsion of Haitians in the Dominican Republic. Between 20,000 to 30,000 Haitians are deported from the Dominican Republic each year. Haitian immigrants have no way to normalize their immigration status without documents, thus widely limiting access to health care and fair labor conditions. Dominican-born children of Haitian migrants are denied Dominican citizenship.

Roughly 1 million Haitian nationals currently live in the Dominican Republic, most of which are undocumented and work in exploitative occupations such as agriculture and domestic service. Last year authorities uncovered a child trafficking ring that forcibly employed Haitian children as beggars.

In response to the beheading, the Dominican Republic has promised to prosecute those responsible.