In a significant move to protect national sovereignty, the Dominican Republic has declined to endorse the Global Compact on Refugees, according to prominent jurist and former Constitutional Court judge Jottin Cury. The decision emerges as the Caribbean nation grapples with mounting migration pressures from neighboring Haiti’s ongoing political and humanitarian crisis.
Cury, speaking on the analytical program ‘Reviews, the Podcast,’ articulated that accession to the international agreement would fundamentally constrain the government’s authority to manage migration and execute deportations of undocumented individuals. The legal expert emphasized that once refugees gain admission under the pact’s provisions, the state becomes legally obligated to maintain their status, effectively eliminating options for repatriation.
Beyond the specific refugee compact, Cury identified additional sovereignty concerns embedded within other international agreements that incorporate refugee protection clauses. These provisions, he warned, collectively threaten the nation’s autonomous control over its immigration policies.
The former magistrate further highlighted practical limitations, noting that the Dominican Republic lacks both the operational infrastructure and financial resources to undertake expanded refugee commitments. He characterized the existing burden from the Haitian crisis as already exceeding the state’s capacity, making additional responsibilities unsustainable.
Addressing related jurisdictional matters, Cury clarified the country’s position regarding the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, reaffirming that the Dominican Republic remains not legally bound by its rulings. His comprehensive analysis underscores the government’s deliberate strategy to prioritize national interests and operational realities amid complex international migration challenges.