GARR Demands Truth and Justice for Stephora Anne-Mircie Joseph

The death of Stephora Anne-Mircie Joseph, an 11-year-old Haitian girl, continues to provoke indignation and incomprehension. In a statement published Tuesday, the Support Group for Repatriates and Refugees (GARR) deplores an “avoidable” tragedy and calls for a credible and transparent investigation after her death, which occurred on November 14 during a school activity at Hacienda Las Caballos, in the Dominican Republic.

A brilliant and determined student, Stephora quickly became an example of integration for Haitian children living in Dominican territory. Her family and teachers describe a curious, engaged, and resilient girl, despite the discrimination she faced at school. Her journey demonstrates admirable courage in an environment where racism and mockery related to her origin were frequent.

For GARR, the circumstances of the tragedy remain too vague. No rigorous investigation has yet been made public, which, according to the organization, constitutes an affront to the truth and the victim's memory. The institution highlights the clear absence of preventive measures, insufficient supervision, and a lack of vigilance from those responsible during the activity. It also denounces the school's late and superficial communication, which, fifteen days after the events, has not provided substantial explanations, giving the impression of a superficial exercise rather than an assumption of responsibility.

Beyond the tragedy, GARR recalls that Stephora was living in a context marked by persistent discrimination against Haitian children in the Dominican Republic. It believes that the double vulnerability of these students – both due to their origin and their migratory status – requires educational institutions to exercise increased vigilance and exemplary supervision, which were clearly lacking in this case.

The organization expresses its solidarity with the Joseph family and insists that the Dominican authorities shed full light on the facts. For GARR, it is inconceivable that a school activity, meant to be safe, turned into a tragedy, and even more unacceptable that the institutions involved are slow to be held accountable. The truth must emerge, and responsibilities must be fully assumed to prevent such a tragedy from recurring.