CONFIDENTIAL
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (continued)
Right No.
(iii)
(iv)
Rating suggested by Post
There are reports of highly placed officials trafficking in Dominican girls for Haitian brothels. The scale cannot be assessed.
Vocal opposition to the Government is fully accepted. The Press is not subject to censorship and can be highly critical of the Govern- ment. Opposition statements receive full coverage. Personal attacks on the President or military leaders would however attract retaliation and some precautionary self- censorship is exercised. Radio and television are similarly free of censorship but some control can be exercised through the licensing of stations.
3
(0)
2
(2)
(+)
The judiciary cannot be regarded as 9 independent. Effectively, all appointments are made by the Presi- dent. Corruption and venality are
(8)
rife.
3
(3)
(vi)
(vii)
Trade unionism is at an early stage of development and there are a great number of small "house" un- ions. They do not represent an effective threat to the Government and are allowed a high degree of freedom.
There is no legal restriction on travel, but numerous bureaucratic procedures can be used to prevent a person from leaving the country. Such cases are rare.
CONFIDENTIAL
3
(2)