Human Rights Watch has joined the growing chorus of international organizations expressing concern over the Dominica government’s response to protests against electoral reform legislation on March 19, 2025. Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization dedicated to defending and promoting human rights around the world. Founded in 1978, it conducts research and advocacy to highlight human rights abuses, gather evidence, and influence policy changes. The organization focuses on issues such as freedom of expression, gender equality, refugee rights, and the abolition of torture and other cruel treatment, aiming to hold governments and powerful entities accountable for violations and to support victims of injustice.
Juanita Goebertus Estrada, Director of the Americas Division of Human Rights Watch, in a social media post, voiced support for the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) statement, highlighting issues such as the integrity and independence of electoral bodies, the absence of campaign finance regulations, and the financing of voter transportation from abroad.
The protests, organized by the Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC) to express dissatisfaction with the passage of controversial electoral reform bills by the government , were met with a forceful response from state authorities, including the use of tear gas and rubber bullets against demonstrators. The IACHR has been monitoring Dominica’s electoral reform efforts since 2018 and has raised concerns about the transparency and fairness of the process.
The Caribbean Democrat Union (CDU) has also condemned the arrests of opposition members, describing them as a “blatant abuse of state power” and a threat to democratic principles. The CDU emphasized that political dissent and peaceful protest are fundamental rights that must be protected.
Similarly, the International Democracy Union (IDU) has expressed alarm over the detention of legal professionals representing opposition members, warning that such actions could undermine judicial independence and democratic governance. The IDU has called for greater transparency and accountability in Dominica’s electoral process.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has responded to the IACHR’s concerns, asserting that the government has approached electoral reform with openness and transparency. He noted that the majority of recommendations from the Electoral Reform Commissioner were adopted, except for provisions on campaign financing and residency requirements, which he argued require further analysis.
As international scrutiny continues, organizations like Human Rights Watch continue to press for accountability and democratic safeguards in Dominica’s electoral process.