AMERICA/DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – The trafficking of Haitian children towards the Dominican State increases

Monday, 7 October 2013

Santiago (Agenzia Fides) - The trafficking of Haitian children continues to increase at an alarming rate on the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Local authorities, human rights organizations and civil society of the Dominican State have launched the admonition of stricter controls on the borders between the two Countries. The children arrive malnourished, barefoot and unkempt. The phenomenon is particularly aggravated by the fact that, once they arrive in Dominican Republic they cannot be repatriated. Institutions in Haiti are very weak, the Country has so many problems, so it is the Dominican State that takes charge of this alarming and increasing phenomenon.
According to local sources, when the children arrive in the Country, especially in the north, in the city of Santiago, Santo Domingo and others, they are exploited by traffickers. In addition, many who are often alone and abandoned on the streets become easy prey for pedophiles. Humanitarian organizations believe that the Dominican government has a duty to implement laws that punish trafficking and protect children's rights, as laid down in international conventions. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 07/10/2013)


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