Finjus warns of alleged deficiencies in Dominican justice system

The Dominican Republic's Foundation for Institutionalism and Justice (Finjus) has voiced serious concerns over what it calls grave deficiencies within the nation's criminal justice system. These issues, according to the organization, compromise fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

“

these episodes reflect the slowness of judicial processes, the lack of follow-up of cases and the risk that preventive detention ends up becoming an anticipated penalty, in violation of constitutional guarantees.

Finjus highlighted specific cases that illustrate these problems. One man spent nearly 20 years in pre-trial detention, from 2006 to 2026, without a final sentence. He was only freed after the Public Defender's Office intervened. In another instance, 13 individuals were held for over a month without being brought before a judge, eventually regaining their liberty through a habeas corpus action.

These episodes, Finjus stated, demonstrate the slow pace of judicial processes, a lack of case follow-up, and the risk of pre-trial detention becoming a de facto punishment. This violates constitutional guarantees, the foundation argued. While acknowledging the need for firm responses to crime, Finjus cautioned that the state's power must remain within constitutional and legal limits, respecting proportionality, human dignity, and due process.

“

citizen security demands firm responses to crime, but the exercise of the state's punitive power must remain within the limits imposed by the Constitution, the law, proportionality, human dignity and due process.

The organization reiterated that liberty is the rule, and any restriction requires strict controls. It emphasized the distinct legal statuses of police detention, pre-trial custody, and serving a sentence, which cannot be treated the same. Every detainee retains the presumption of innocence and the right to a timely review of their situation.

“

liberty is the rule and any restriction must be subject to strict controls.

Finjus called upon the National Police, the Public Ministry, the Judiciary, and prison authorities to act. They must guarantee that no person is deprived of liberty due to institutional inefficiencies, delays, or lack of coordination, as these failures directly harm the rule of law.

“

detention in police stations, preventive detention and serving a sentence are distinct legal figures that cannot receive the same treatment.