144 | Report on the Situation of Human Rights in the Dominican Republic 353. For their part, at every meeting held with the State, all officials firmly denied the existence of racism or discriminatory practices in the country against Dominicans of Haitian descent, Haitians, or persons of African descent in general. State representatives said that civil society organizations and the international community had wanted to present a situation of discrimination. However, they clarified that persons of Haitian origin were not discriminated against because they were integrated into many activities. The State agents also emphasized the solidarity the Dominican people had shown in response to the earthquake in Haiti in January 2010, 328 indicating that following the earthquake more than 57,000 Haitians came to the Dominican Republic. 329 354. In its observations on this report, the Dominican State also said that “[i]n one form or another, discrimination and racism pervade many—perhaps all—societies in their own particular way, depending on their history, socio-cultural makeup, and determinants produced by phenomena such as migration, which is having such a great impact on our societies around the world. There are tensions everywhere.” 330 It added that "the constitutional and legal basis for protection of equality and nondiscrimination has grown increasingly consolidated in the Dominican Republic, that there are no public policies designed or implemented to exclude any group on the basis of their race or color, and in no sense is there any systematic practice of discrimination against any group. Of course, there are sectors of society that, because of poverty, do not yet receive many services and benefits but that affects individuals of different races, color, and ethnicities.” 331 355. In view of the information received, the Commission cannot fail to express its concern about the racial and ethnic discrimination also suffered by Dominicans of African descent (specifically those who are not of Haitian descent). The Commission notes the relationship between skin color and the prejudice suffered by AfroDominicans for that reason. In particular, the IACHR points to situations in which some Dominicans have been “confused” with “Haitians” because of their skin color and phenotypic traits and consequently have been summarily expelled from their own country. 356. Accordingly, it bears noting that discrimination against Dominicans of Haitian descent and Haitians has made the racial discrimination that exists against 328 329 330 331 On January 12, 2010, an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, was recorded. According to official figures, it left a toll of 316,000 dead, 359,000 injured, and over 1.5 million displaced from their homes. IACHR, Thematic Hearing “The Constitution and the Right to Nationality in the Dominican Republic.” 140th period of sessions, October 28, 2010. Dominican Republic, Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the Organization of American States. Note MP-RD-OEA 1395-15: Note enclosing the Note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs containing the observations of the Dominican State on the draft "Report on the Situation of Human Rights in the Dominican Republic." December 21, 2015, p. 15. Dominican Republic, Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the Organization of American States. Note MP-RD-OEA 1395-15: Note enclosing the Note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs containing the observations of the Dominican State on the draft "Report on the Situation of Human Rights in the Dominican Republic." December 21, 2015, p. 15. Organization of American States | OAS