First Lady Raquel Arbaje, along with her daughters Graciela, Esther, and Adriana, is among more than 1,000 individuals who have signed an open letter rejecting the current draft of the Dominican Republic’s proposed Penal Code reform. The letter, addressed directly to President Luis Abinader, warns that the legislation represents a “serious setback” for human rights in the country.
The document has garnered support from a wide cross-section of Dominican society, including activists, legal scholars, journalists, academics, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens. Signatories argue that the proposed code, in its current form, could have profound ethical and social consequences—particularly for women and girls.
Among the central concerns raised is the limited legal definition of femicide, which recognizes only three specific circumstances under which the crime is acknowledged. Critics say this narrow interpretation fails to capture the broader spectrum of lethal violence against women.
The open letter also points to evidentiary barriers in prosecuting domestic violence cases, arguing that these restrictions obscure serious abuses and fall short of international standards.
Another contentious issue is the statute of limitations on sexual crimes, including incest and child rape. Signatories argue that allowing such cases to expire legally promotes silence and protects perpetrators.
Perhaps most controversially, the reform entirely excludes the three basic exceptions for legal abortion: when the mother’s life is at risk, when the fetus is not viable, or in cases of rape or incest. Opponents say this omission puts thousands of women and girls in danger and undermines their basic rights.
“This is not just a legislative amendment,” the letter states, “but a pivotal moral and social decision that will shape the future of the Dominican Republic.”
The message concludes with a call for a Penal Code reform that does not come at the expense of fundamental rights:
“Yes to Penal Code reform, but not at the cost of human dignity and justice.”
The ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) is majority in the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.
Former President Danilo Medina vetoed the passing of the Penal Code presented during his two terms of government (2012-2016 and 2016-2020) for not including the clauses on exceptions for abortion.
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28 July 2025