ISTANBUL

The Dominican Republic has announced its plan to start deporting 10,000 Haitian migrants a week.

"The Government reaffirms its commitment to protect national sovereignty and address migration challenges with a policy that combines security with respect for human rights, in coordination with the international community and with a focus on regional cooperation," said a statement from Homero Figueroa, presidential spokesman and director of strategy and communication.

Figueroa said that despite international and national efforts to stop unregulated migration, particularly from Haiti, into the Dominican Republic, the results so far have been limited and the process is moving slowly.

“Faced with this reality, we are forced to act decisively and responsibly to guarantee the security and stability of our country,” he said.

The Dominican Republic deported more than 174,000 irregular migrants identified as Haitians last year and 67,000 in the first half of this year.

Haiti, which has been struggling with fundamental problems such as political, economic and security crises for many years, is in danger of famine with a population of more than 11 million.

Armed gangs control 80% of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, and violence is increasing day by day.