DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

The Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday, 23 October 2024 unanimously passed a bill that toughens penalties for human trafficking in the country. The bill had already passed in the Senate.

The new legislation imposes harsher sentences, including up to 30 years in prison, for those who traffic in minors, people with disabilities, the mentally ill, or other vulnerable individuals.

The bill, which was sent by the Senate with amendments to Law 137-03, aims to strengthen the fight against human trafficking.

This law, in effect since 2003, originally stipulated a maximum penalty of five years for this crime. However, with the new changes, more severe sanctions are included to ensure greater protection for victims and to punish perpetrators more harshly.

The modifications include expanding articles 3 and 7 and adding several paragraphs that specify the new penalties...