VZCZCXYZ0003
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDG #1266/01 3031429
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 301429Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3647
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 2294
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1030
RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN 1176
RUEHKG/AMEMBASSY KINGSTON 2997
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE 5070
RUEHSP/AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN 2030
RUEHBH/AMEMBASSY NASSAU 1129
RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0286
RUMISTA/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 001266 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PREF PREL SENV DR
SUBJECT: GRUESOME MURDER OF THREE HAITIANS SPARKS 
CROSS-BORDER CONCERNS 
 
REF: SANTO DOMINGO 962 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  The gruesome killing and incineration of three 
Haitians in the Dominican Republic, two of whom were minors, 
engaged in cutting down trees to make charcoal near the 
southwestern border town of Jimani on 10/20, has shocked both 
countries.  The Foreign Ministry condemned the action, while 
the Public Ministry and police are devoting significant 
resources to the criminal investigation.  On 10/22, 
demonstrators in Haiti protested the murders by blocking a 
road leading to the border.  The killings came at a time when 
some Dominican media has been engaged in shrill Haiti-related 
reporting, particularly with respect to illegal 
logging/charcoal manufacture and the influx of illegal 
Haitians taking up residence on the Dominican side of the 
border.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2.  On 10/20, a group of armed assailants attacked and killed 
three Haitians who were preparing charcoal from illegally 
harvested trees:  Denil Desir Dinitre, Miculi Jolucu, and 
Jolico Ansil. Autopsies determined two of the victims were 
between 12 to 15 years old, and the third victim was 
estimated to be almost 30 years old.  A fourth Haitian, 
Mesilis Desil, was wounded in the attack but survived and is 
being questioned by judicial officials.  Dominican law 
enforcement officials reportedly have detained several 
Dominicans and have asked the Foreign Ministry to assist in 
obtaining Haitian Government cooperation to interview two 
Haitian "parties of interest" currently understood to be 
under detention by Haitian authorities. 
 
¶3.  In response to the murders, the Haitian Government issued 
a statement emphasizing that recurring acts of violence in 
the Dominican Republic against Haitians only threaten joint 
Haitian and Dominican efforts to maintain peaceful relations. 
On 10/21, local media reported that a group of Haitian human 
rights organizations had sent a formal letter to President 
Preval expressing concern over an increase in killings, acts 
of aggression, and mass repatriations, which have targeted 
undocumented Haitians in recent months.  The next day, 
Haitian protesters blocked a road to the Haitian-Dominican 
border (Malpasse) as a form of protest against the three 
murders.  On 10/23, the Dominican Foreign Minsitry issued a 
statement condemning the murders, expressing the "hope that 
the justice system will act quickly against those that 
committed this heinous act," and noting that, regardless of 
nationality, such violent acts will not be condoned by the 
Dominican Government. 
 
¶4.  The presence of many undocumented Haitians in the 
Dominican Republic has caused tension and outbreaks of 
violence, especially near the border region (Ref A).  Over 
the past few weeks, some Dominican media, particularly the 
daily "Listin Diario," have reported extensively and in a 
sensational manner on the influx of illegal Haitian 
immigrants who now reside in the border region, as well as on 
the destruction of Dominican forests by undocumented and 
illegal Haitians looking to export the contraband charcoal 
for sale in Haiti. The GoDR responded to these reports by 
announcing plans to increase police and military forces in 
the region, as well as to resettle retired military and their 
families in the border area. Some NGOs and human rights 
activists have speculated that the three murders are linked 
to anti-Haitian sentiment fomented by this recent press 
reportage. 
 
¶5.  COMMENT:  While some NGOs and human rights activists have 
speculated that the three murders are linked to anti-Haitian 
sentiment fomented by the recent media reporting and the 
GoDR's knee-jerk response, this remains speculation.  It is 
also possible that the killings were due to a dispute between 
rival groups of illegal loggers/charcoal manufacturers 
(Septel will report on this trade).  Nonetheless, the 
killings have raised awareness of violence against Haitians 
and those of Haitian origin in the Dominican Republic.  The 
Foreign Ministry's condemnation of the killings, and the 
ongoing efforts by the police and the Public Ministry to 
identify the perpetrators and their motives, reflect the 
GoDR's recognition that incidents such as this one could have 
serious repercussions for its international image and its 
relations with Haiti.  Post will continue to monitor the 
situation and report on any new developments.  END COMMENT. 
 
LAMBERT