The United States annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices was unusually extensive and comprehensive this year with 27 pages in its Executive Summary alone. The report looks into the lack of independence of the judiciary, the failed prosecution of the Odebrecht US$92 million bribery scandal and violations to rights of journalists. The report remarks on the Medina administration’s failure to apply criminal penalties for corruption by government officials and to implement Dominican anti-corruption laws.
“NGOs noted the greatest hindrance to effective investigations was a lack of political will to prosecute individuals accused of corruption, particularly well connected individuals or high-level politicians. Government corruption remained a serious problem and a public grievance,” states the report.
The US Department of State submits reports on all countries receiving assistance and all United Nations member states to the US Congress in accordance with the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Trade Act of 1974.
When asked to comment on the report, Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas Maldonado stated: “It does not correspond to what the country is experiencing. The country is living a rule of law, a healthy democracy, a consolidated democracy and that is what we are reflecting from the government’s administration, which has been the most successful administration in advances in human rights in the Dominican Republic.”
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US Department of State
US Department of State
Listin Diario
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Diario Libre
Diario Libre
12 March 2020