Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santo Domingo (Agenzia Fides) – The National Commission for Migrants of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Dominican Republic has called for a return to dialogue with Haiti in order to maintain existing neighbourly relations and solve the immigration crisis between the two countries.
"Dialogue must take place in an atmosphere of transparency and respect, implementing the political will of the government, in order to go forward in the process started with the National Plan of Regularization of Foreigners (PNRE), and solve any difficulties which could threaten present peaceful relations", says the Bishops’ Commission statement sent to Fides.
The statement signed by the chairman of the Migrants Commission, Bishop Diomedes Espinal, stressed the need to resume bilateral dialogue "founded on truth and justice rather than mistakes and mistruths. And above all with genuine political will on the part of the government to reach a definitive solution regarding illegal immigrants and clandestine persons born in the Dominican Republic".
By way of conclusion the statement congratulates the Dominican authorities for its plan for registration which has led to the settling of irregular situations for some 28,466 clandestine immigrants.
Registration terminated on 17 June provoking criticism from the government of Haiti which reported to international authorities presumed expulsion of Haitian citizens, some of whom were born in the Dominican Republic. (see Fides 20/07/2015). (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 03/08/2015)
