Dominican Air Force Recruit Charged with Raping 14-Year-Old Haitian Migrant

An 18-year-old member of the Dominican Republic's air force has been arrested and charged with raping a 14-year-old Haitian migrant during an immigration check in the eastern part of the country. The alleged incident occurred around 5 a.m. on April 5, outside the normal immigration operation hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The accused, Paulino de la Cruz, is a soldier who works in immigration control but was not an immigration officer at the time of the alleged rape. De la Cruz denies entering the victim's residence and taking advantage of the fact that she was alone. The prosecutor's office has presented a detailed report with evidence, including interviews with the victim, officials involved in the raid, the accused, and physical evidence.

The case has sparked outrage among Haitian and Dominican human rights activists. The Haitian government has called for protection of Haitian migrants and minors in the Dominican Republic. A United Nations official has also urged the Dominican authorities to take steps to protect the victim and her family and ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.

Dominican authorities have condemned the incident and launched an investigation after the girl's mother filed a police complaint. They plan to request the detention of de la Cruz for acts committed against a minor. The Dominican bishop emphasized the need to respect the dignity of individuals, regardless of their origin and nationality.

Why this matters: This incident highlights the vulnerability of Haitian migrants, particularly minors, in the Dominican Republic. It underscores the need for stronger protections and oversight of immigration enforcement to prevent abuses by officials.

This is the second time in less than a year that a Haitian migrant has accused a Dominican official of sexual assault. The case has drawn attention to the ongoing tensions between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, as well as the challenges faced by Haitian migrants seeking refuge and opportunities in the neighboring country. Human rights groups are closely monitoring the investigation and calling for justice for the victim and accountability for any officials found guilty of misconduct.

Key Takeaways

• 18-year-old Dominican soldier accused of raping 14-year-old Haitian migrant
• Incident occurred during immigration check outside normal operation hours
• Case sparks outrage, Haitian govt calls for protection of migrants
• Dominican authorities condemn incident, launch investigation, plan to detain accused
• Highlights vulnerability of Haitian migrants, need for stronger protections