Yes folks the the annual State Department report is out. After reading the report I had this profound deja vu feeling, but then again its only standard operating procedure in paradise. Here are a few excerpts.
On the good front....
On the not so good front...
Go here for your reading pleasure.2008 Human Rights Report: Dominican Republic
On the good front....
Political Prisoners and Detainees
There were no reports of political prisoners or detainees.
Internet Freedom
There were no government restrictions on access to the Internet or reports that the government monitored e-mail or Internet chat rooms. Individuals and groups could engage in the peaceful expression of views via the Internet, including by e-mail. Internet access was widely available, including Wi-Fi hotspots. Blog functions were also available on several local press sites that allowed strongly stated views against the government and other powerful sectors.
Academic Freedom and Cultural Events
There were no government restrictions on academic freedom or cultural events.
On the not so good front...
Denial of Fair Public Trial
The law provides for an independent judiciary; however, despite increasing independence in the judiciary, instances of political influence in decision making were still evident. Interference by public entities, when it occurred, tended toward public pronouncements regarding active cases and selective prosecution, as opposed to direct intervention in existing cases. On occasion, however, it appeared that judges in superior courts attempted to improperly influence lower court decisions. In addition corruption continued to be a serious problem.
National/Racial/Ethnic Minorities
There was significant evidence of racial prejudice against persons of dark complexion, but the government denied that such prejudice exists and therefore did little to address the problem. Acts of discrimination were common. In particular there were strong prejudices against Haitians, which disadvantaged many Haitians and Dominicans of Haitian ancestry, as well as other foreigners of dark complexion. Few government officials acknowledged the existence of this discrimination; others regularly and publicly denied that it existed.
my boldGovernment Corruption and Transparency
The law provides criminal penalties for official corruption; however, the government did not implement the law effectively, and officials who engaged in corrupt practices did so with impunity. The World Bank's worldwide governance indicators reflected that government corruption was a serious problem.
Go here for your reading pleasure.2008 Human Rights Report: Dominican Republic