SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (CMC) — The government of Dominican Republic has hit out at accusations that the country has mistreated undocumented Haitians, as reported in a L’Osservatore Romano, a newspaper published in the Vatican.

According to Dominican Republic’s Ambassador to the Vatican, Víctor Grimaldi, there is no truth to the report published on Friday.

“The Dominican Republic, like any organised State (United States, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil and the Vatican itself) has the right to documentarily regulate the entry and exit of foreign citizens to its territory. We do it in strict compliance to international laws and agreements,” says Grimaldi in a letter to the editor-in-chief of the Vatican newspaper, Gian Maria Vian.

The diplomat said the Dominican Republic offers facilities to the nationals of the neighbouring country, ensuring that thousands of Haitians receive free medical care during pregnancies and deliveries in Dominican hospitals, as well as the opportunity for studies and work for thousands of Haitians

“Everyone’s rights are respected, as well as the thousands and thousands of foreigners from other countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, Italy, Spain, the United States and other places in the world,” he said.

The ambassador, in his letter, stressed that the Dominican people and their government are generous and welcome migrants of all nationalities, “as long as they respect our laws.”