I. Introduction: A Nation in Crisis
The Dominican Republic, known for its vibrant culture and economic growth through tourism, faces a darker reality marked by human rights violations. From discrimination against vulnerable communities to political repression and systemic corruption, rights violations have become a central driver of migration. For many Dominicans, fleeing the country is not only about seeking better opportunities but about escaping persecution, injustice, and insecurity.

II. Discrimination Against Haitian Descendants
People of Haitian descent face systemic discrimination, including denial of citizenship, exclusion from education and healthcare, and targeted harassment. The controversial 2013 court ruling that retroactively stripped citizenship from thousands of Dominicans of Haitian ancestry intensified their vulnerability. This statelessness crisis has left many with no legal protections, forcing migration as a matter of survival.

III. Political Repression and Silencing Dissent
Opposition leaders, activists, and journalists are frequent targets of political repression. Harassment, arbitrary arrests, and smear campaigns are used to silence dissenting voices. These tactics undermine democratic freedoms and drive political exiles abroad.

IV. Violence and Insecurity
High levels of crime and violence plague the Dominican Republic. Gang activity, organised crime, and domestic violence affect both urban and rural areas, with state institutions often unable—or unwilling—to provide protection. Citizens living under constant threat of violence view migration as their only escape.

V. State Complicity and Corruption
Corruption permeates government and law enforcement institutions, enabling rights violations to continue unchecked. Authorities are frequently complicit in abuses or fail to hold perpetrators accountable, reinforcing a culture of impunity.

VI. Violations of Labour Rights
Workers in the Dominican Republic often face exploitation, unsafe conditions, and denial of basic rights. Migrant workers, especially those of Haitian descent, are particularly vulnerable to abuses with little recourse to justice.

VII. Gender-Based Violence
Women in the Dominican Republic face widespread gender-based violence, including domestic abuse and femicide. The lack of effective state protection leaves survivors without justice or security, compelling many to seek safety abroad.

VIII. Attacks on Human Rights Defenders
Activists advocating for equality, indigenous rights, or environmental protection are frequent targets of harassment and violence. The government’s failure to protect these defenders or prosecute perpetrators further weakens civil society and pushes advocates into exile.

IX. Discrimination Against LGBT Communities
LGBT Dominicans face stigma, harassment, and violence in both public and private spheres. The absence of comprehensive protections leaves LGBT individuals vulnerable, with many seeing migration as the only option to live openly and safely.

X. Statelessness and Denial of Identity
Thousands of Dominicans, particularly of Haitian ancestry, remain stateless due to restrictive citizenship laws. This denial of identity strips them of access to services, employment, and political participation, leaving migration as their only viable future.

XI. Migration as a Response to Systemic Abuses
For many Dominicans, migration is an act of survival in the face of systemic rights violations. Asylum claims abroad frequently cite political repression, discrimination, and lack of protection as reasons for leaving the country.

XII. Conclusion: Exodus as a Cry for Justice
Human rights violations in the Dominican Republic, from systemic discrimination to political repression, fuel a steady exodus of citizens seeking dignity and safety abroad. Until the state commits to protecting rights and addressing impunity, migration will remain the only option for many. The Dominican diaspora stands as both a testament to the resilience of its people and an indictment of a government failing to uphold basic human rights.