After saying that the talks between Haiti and the Dominican Republic got off to a good start, civil society organizations in the country and representatives of the diplomatic corps are urging for answers to be provided to the bilateral problems through an understanding on immigration and trade issues.
Former Dominican ambassador in Washington, D.C. and constitutional expert, Flavio Dario Espinal commented: “The talks between the Dominican Republic and Haiti have begun well. It must be understood, however, that this is just the starting point in a complex process in which they have to tackle major problems and challenges.” In his judgment, the Dominican Republic must achieve the recognition by the Haitian authorities and by the observers at the talks of its sovereignty in nationality and immigration. “Ahead of the next meeting, the Dominican authorities should continue preparing their positions well, preparing themselves with discipline for the negotiations and efficiently handling the communications,” he said.
Legislator Pelegrin Castillo called for Haiti to step up efforts to legalize its nationals in Haiti. He said the true achievement of Dominican diplomatic efforts would be when Haiti admits its inexcusable obligation to recognize and document the people of Haiti within Haiti as any responsible state would do. For years, most people in Haiti have not had legal documentation. This has caused major problems given the non-stop illegal immigration to the Dominican Republic. “This controversy would not exist if Haiti did not have the limitations and malfunctions that we all know about. That is the root of the problem. The true solution needs to be to guarantee stability and rebuilding the national bases of the Haitian state,” he commented, as reported in Diario Libre.
Meanwhile, Haiti’s Foreign Relations Minister Pierre-Richard Casimir insisted that the Foreigner Legalization Plan to be implemented by the Dominican government is not a solution to the statelessness of Haitian immigrants.
www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2014/1/8/306179/Haiti-sostuvo-que-plan-favorece-la-apatridia