The Dominican Ambassador to the Organization of American States Pedro Verges responded to a Jamaica Observer editorial published on 27 January 2014 whereby the publication said that giving the OAS chair to the Dominican Republic was “a colossal mistake.”
The editorial criticized that “the ambassador’s Government appears unwilling to convince the constitutional court to reverse its shameful ruling [Constitutional Court Ruling 168-13], we are left to wonder whether we can take him at his word”. The editorialist was referring to statement by Verges upon assuming the OAS chair. Verges had said that the DR was engaged in a continuous process of institutional and democratic strengthening, “which will not rest for a second.”
The editorialist wrote: “Given such outpouring of opposition to the court decision, and Santo Domingo’s obvious stubbornness on the issue, the Dominican Republic, we insist, should not have been allowed the honour of taking the chair of the OAS, even as we acknowledge that the position rotates”.
In his reply published on 2 February 2014, Ambassador Verges called for separating fact from fiction on the complex issue. He said the Dominican government is committed to guaranteeing fundamental rights and public services, including education and health care, regardless of the status of the person. He explained that the DR provides access to public schools for approximately 54,000 immigrant children without the need to provide any sort of documentation regardless of their legal status. And 18% of the nation’s health care budget goes to servicing the immigrant population
He explained that the government is taking careful steps to implement a policy for registering both national and immigrant citizens.
“Despite these efforts, critics are quick to suggest that the Dominican Republic’s executive branch could “convince” the Constitutional Court, the highest court in the country, to overturn its ruling. As is the case with any nation that respects the democratic principles of separation of powers and the rule of law, this course of action isn’t plausible.
Furthermore, the very suggestion goes against the OAS mission of promoting democracy and institutionalization,” he explained.
Said Verges: “Therefore, in response to the Court’s ruling, the Government is implementing a process that protects fundamental rights while documenting and guaranteeing a legal status to each and every person living on Dominican soil. In doing so, we will also enhance our ability to combat human trafficking.”
Verges stressed: “The Dominican Republic appreciates the support of the international community, as well as its key ally Haiti, as we embark on this complex process.”
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Giving-OAS-chair-to-Dom-Rep-a-colossal-mistake_15886943
http://m.jamaicaobserver.com/mobile/columns/Dom-Rep-committed-to-protecting–rights-of-individuals_15917327