Dominican Republic

The national mechanism for implementation, reporting and follow-up was until now the "Interinstitutional Commission for Human Rights". It was composed of representatives of all branches of the State (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial), as well as representatives of Civil Society, and it engaged with both UN and inter-American human rights systems.

Law 80-25 was recently approved, thus transferring the mandate of a national mechanism from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Ministry of Justice and its new Vice Ministry of Human Rights (see below under INSTITUTIONAL SETUP).

This vice ministry will coordinate the National Human Rights Council, which will be recognized as the national mechanism in this area. This transition process will involve the transfer of the functions currently performed by the Interinstitutional Commission on Human Rights to the new Ministry of Justice. This represents a significant step for the Dominican State, consolidating the centrality of human rights in public management and in the design of public policies with a rights-based approach. In this same sense, the Ministry of Justice will become the governing body of all matters related to human rights, with the support and participation of the institutions that make up the new National Council. This reinforces the country’s commitment to the promotion, protection, and respect of the fundamental rights of all persons.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Directorate of Human Rights

Email: derechoshumanos@mirex.gob.do