UN Representative to the DR, Niky Fabiancic has warned that the DR should define its migratory policy towards Haiti in a coherent manner, according to El Caribe. He stated that the DR cannot continue the repatriation of Haitians with disregard to human rights, while at the same time allowing the sugar and construction industries to contract illegal labor from the neighboring country. If the country decides to expel Haitians it must be done without violating the rights of children and citizens. There should be a clear policy, and if the country needs Haitian labor, it should be well regulated, he said.
Speaking during the opening of the workshop, “Fulfillment of the Millennium Development Objectives” in Bayahibe, Fabiancic also urged that instead of making hefty investments in military equipment, the country should make education and health sectors the priority. Fabiancic criticized the Mejia government for spending US$78 million to purchase 28 helicopters that did not even serve the nation to fight this year’s forest fires. He said that investment could have paid for two years worth of school breakfasts. “I think there are countries like Costa Rica that do not have armies and have done well for themselves, and have invested the money in education. It is a well known case,” he told a Hoy reporter.