On 6 April, President Luis Abinader announced 15 new measures targeting undocumented migrants from Haiti, including deploying over a thousand new soldiers to the border and expanding the border wall with Haiti. The government also announced intentions to “Dominicanize” employment by attracting Dominican workers and promoting the mechanization of sectors dominated by Haitian workers. Among the most controversial actions is a protocol requiring hospital personnel to request ID, proof of employment and residence before providing care. While undocumented patients will still be treated, they face deportation once recovered. Human rights organizations have called for the government to stop massive deportation and to repeal the hospital protocol, calling it illegal and warning about the potential risk to the lives of migrants who will be forced to choose between healthcare and possible deportation. The government says the measures are necessary to address rising irregular migration, ease pressure on public services, and manage security risks.

Sources: Listín Diario, The Guardian, Amnesty International, BBC

On 8 April, a tragedy occurred when the roof of Jetset, a popular Santo Domingo nightclub, suddenly collapsed onto more than 500 attendees. Over 230 people died in the incident. The government has announced the formation of a special committee—comprised of local and international experts—to investigate the incident. Several lawsuits have been filed against the club’s owner and local officials, alleging failure to enforce and maintain basic safety standards prior to the tragedy. The nightclub disaster comes amid a pattern of recent building collapses in the country that have also resulted in fatalities and raises the question of state co-responsibility over the event. Currently, the country has no government agency dedicated to overseeing the maintenance of private businesses; however, the government has announced plans to introduce new legislation in response.

Sources: New York Times, Listín Diario, El Pais

On 27 October, President Abinader promulgated a set of constitutional amendments promoted by his government. The approved amendments transfer the responsibility for appointing the Attorney General and Deputy Attorneys General from the president to the National Council of the Judiciary. This change intends to guarantee the independence of the Attorney General’s office. The amendments also introduce presidential term limits (capped at two terms) to the list of unamendable constitutional provisions, which seek to guarantee the alternation of power. They also prevent elected officials from benefiting from constitutional changes made during their term in office. Additionally, they reduce the number of seats in the lower chamber from 190 to 170 and determine that presidential, legislative and municipal elections will be held on the same day. Civil society organizations have criticized the government for not conducting public consultations to inform the constitutional amendments.

Sources: CNN, Dominican Today, Diario Libre (1), Presidencia Republica Dominicana, International IDEA, Diario Libre (2)

The Dominican government announced a plan to immediately start deporting up to ten thousand undocumented Haitians per week and to enhance border security measures. Officials claim this response is necessary due to the international community's lack of effective action to address Haiti's crisis, stating the situation is unmanageable and threatens Dominicans’ welfare. Officials have pledged to uphold human rights standards during deportations. At the same time, this plan has faced significant criticism from human rights organizations, who have called these deportations illegal and contrary to international law and expressed serious concerns for Haitians’ human rights. The plan was announced in response to the rapidly growing number of Haitian migrants and resulting societal unease. This unease culminated in demonstrations led by the far-right nationalist group, Antigua Orden Dominicana, on 27 September, urging the government to take swift action on the matter.

Sources: BBC, Presidencia de la Republica Dominicana, Listin Diario, Amnesty International, France 24

President Luis Abinader has presented a bill to amend the country’s constitution, which he argues will enhance transparency and strengthen democratic institutions. One of the key objectives of the proposal is to enshrine a two-term limit for the presidency. The reform also seeks to unify the calendar for presidential, legislative, and municipal elections (currently held on different dates), and to reduce the number of representatives in the Chamber of Deputies from 190 to 137. Furthermore, the reform seeks to strengthen the independence of the Public Prosecutor's office, narrowing its focus to criminal prosecution and transferring other legal responsibilities to a newly created Justice Ministry. According to the office of the presidency, the proposal was drafted after consultations with a diverse group of stakeholders. Given the strong majority of the ruling Partido Revolucionario Moderno (PRM) in Congress, the bill has a high likelihood of passing.

Sources: Presidencia Republica Dominicana, Diario Libre, CNN