About 4 million Haitians and their descendants live in the world. At birth, in the country they were born, they are free to get another nationality, but lose one of their country of origin to which they are entitled by the "birthright (right of blood)" said Edwin Paraison, Minister Haitians Living Abroad, (MHAVE), during a conference held last week at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD). He stressed that this aspect is the subject of intense debate in the Dominican Republic and is transformed into an "internal matter Dominican" when Haitian nationality is not solicited by parents, in favor of their children.

Parison Minister noted that "local and international groups in human rights, Christian leaders, organizations of civil society, politicians and party leaders claim the right to Dominican nationality for children of Haitians born in Dominican Republic" but that paradoxically it is almost impossible to make apply the "right of the soil" enshrined in the constitution Dominican, because of the "birthright (right of blood)" provided in the Haitian Constitution of 1987. Regarding nationality, the Constitution states in Article 11, "Have the Haitian nationality of origin, any individual born of an Haitian father or an Haitian mother, who themselves were born Haitian, and had never renounced their nationality at birth".

Minister Parison stated that from the standpoint of international law, that the "the right of blood" haitian , can not be imposed to a person who is in a foreign jurisdiction, where local law gives him the right to the nationality.

"At birth, abroad, parents are free to decide for their children if they are Haitian or of the nationality of their host country." In both cases, he explained, "there are legal procedures and administrative requirements. In both cases, the person may use all legal remedies at its disposal to defend that right. If it chooses another nationality, it will always have the right to that of his parents, but not both simultaneously, as in Haiti, dual citizenship does not exist yet. That should change with a constitutional amendment during the 49th Legislature" announced the minister.

Edwin Paraison said that tens of thousands of people of Haitian origin born in the Dominican Republic, feel culturally Dominican and did not show, until now, no interest to opt for Haitian nationality, on the contrary, they defend their right to Dominican nationality. At this point, this issue becomes "an internal Dominican problem" because of interpretation that this country make of its constitution, which creates "complications in the management of the bilateral relations".

On 12 December, International Human Rights Day, a network of social organizations and unions announced a march to protest "against the threat of deprivation of nationality for Dominicans of Haitian descent"

See also:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1692-haiti-epidemic-edwin-paraison-in-dominican-republic.html

S/ HaitiLibre