At a meeting with 35 senior prosecutors on Tuesday, 6 November, Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito revealed that 60% of the murders committed in the country remain unsolved and that in some areas the figure is much higher.
He did however point out that the figure was 66% in previous years, and instructed prosecutors to prepare lists of the number of homicides registered and all cases where charges have been brought. He asked them to concentrate on solving cases during the rest of the year to reduce the figure.
During the meeting he also ask them to implement the new protocol for femicides, saying that in the last week, since the “Promise of Men” campaign was launched there has only been one femicide in the country.
The new procedures include the creation of a new unit that is responsible for protection orders and arrests in cases of gender-based violence whereas previously it was the responsibility of the abused woman to notify her aggressor of any legal actions against him.
He also told the prosecutors that if someone has been accused of aggression they should confiscate their firearm and present charges within 35 days.
Finally, he stated that he was liaising with the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) to ensure that all confiscated drugs should be burned immediately, and that local prosecutors should keep a list of all drugs confiscated in each of their areas, to be able to report the amount by month and by area.
www.hoy.com.do/el-pais/2012/11/7/453896/El-60-de-homicidios-en-el-pais-queda-impune