HAVANA, Cuba, (CMC) – The United Nations (UN) main human rights agency is calling on the Dominican Republic to halt the deportations of Haitian migrants at a time of unrest in their country.

“Continued armed violence and systematic human rights violations in Haiti do not currently allow for a safe, dignified and sustainable return of Haitians to the country,” the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said in a statement.

Haitian officials said that between August 1 and October 31 this year, at least 60,204 people had been deported. Approximately 22,656 Haitians were sent from the Dominican Republic last month.

Türk also urged Haiti to take measures to prevent xenophobia and discrimination against Haitians, who are fleeing the French-speaking Caribbean country as a result of the gang wars and political unrest, with migrants seeking refuge across the region.

Meanwhile, the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, told the media that the statements of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights calling on the Dominican Republic to stop the deportations of Haitians to their country of origin were unacceptable.

“The migration policy of each country is within the jurisdiction of each government, which makes these statements unacceptable and irresponsible,” he said.

He rejected Türk’s statement, recalling that the Dominican Republic is the country that has suffered the most economically from the illegal migration of Haitians.

He also said the Dominican Republic has shown the most solidarity with Haiti, and, therefore, that no one could “ask more of the Dominican Republic” and that country will not only “multiply the immigration control operations,” but also “increase deportations” starting next week.