Haiti and Dominican republic. December 2018.
Binational programme (advocacy).pdf
Program overview
The binational program consists of two separate programmes. The first was organized around the Right to Peace and Security, including advocacy on Gender-based violence (GBV), and the second had the goal of ensuring respect for the human rights of deportees, returnees, Haitian migrants in Dominican Republic, and Dominicans of Haitian descent. The latter had 5 key outcomes: integration of GBV survivors into their communities, legal residency for Haitian migrants in the DR, recognition of Dominican nationality for children born in the country of Haitian descent, improved relations between Haitians and Dominicans, and protection for deportees. The programme involved elements of service delivery, awareness-raising, and advocacy.
Evaluation overview
The end-evaluation of the advocacy work undertaken by NCA’s partners through its binational programme covers the 6-year period between January 2013 - December 2018. The evaluation was given a mandate to look at the effectiveness of the advocacy goals and to generate learning for the future.
Key findings and recommendations
Issues relating to the rights of migrants’ and their descendants in the Dominican Republic remain as acute and relevant as they were at the start of NCA’s binational programme and the evaluation shows that no single strategy has shown itself to be uniquely effective. The results of the activities have been limited, but given the unfavorable overall context, they should nonetheless be considered significant. However, the Dominican partners are a visible part of a wider movement that is challenging the massive denial of rights resulting from the Sentencia, and are also working for enhanced rights for the migrant population in the DR.
The report concludes with several recommendations to different stakeholders in support of the evaluation findings. These are focused on the need to incorporate stakeholders and power analyses in developing their strategies, as well as a careful risk assessment to mitigate any negative reactions. Partners are advised to try to mobilize broader public opinion through reaching out to other sectors, to change the narrative around Haitian migration. Donors are urged to continue to support work in this field, which is critical to improved respect for human rights in the region.