World
Dominican Citizenship Law Now Caribbean Issue
In this Nov. 12, 2013 photo, Calmelo Novas, 84, one of many people of Haitian descent fearing the effects of a recent Dominican court ruling on citizenship, sits in the doorway of his home in Jimani, Dominican Republic, near the border with Haiti. A Dominican Constitutional Court ruling that being born in the country does not automatically grant citizenship is a reflection of deep hostility in the Dominican Republic to the vast number of Haitians who have come to live in their country, many brought over to work in the sugar industry. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — Caribbean leaders will hold a special emergency meeting to discuss a court ruling in the Dominican Republic that could strip citizenship rights to migrants and their descendants.
The Caribbean Community will issue its response to the Dominican ruling after heads of government meet Tuesday in Trinidad.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has been an outspoken critic of the ruling and will attend the special session. Haitian President Michel Martelly is also expected to be there.
The Dominican Republic has applied for membership in the 15-member Caribbean Community organization.
Human rights group says the Dominican court ruling may strip the citizenship of hundreds of thousands of people, mostly of Haitian descent brought to the country as migrant workers.
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