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Dominican Republic: Origins and current leadership of the Dominican Workers' Party (Partido de los Trabajadores Dominicanos, PTD); treatment of its members and supporters by the government and authorities; treatment of its members by Social Christian Reformist Party (Partido Reformista Social Cristiano, PRSC) members or supporters from 2000 to present (1994-October 2004)

Information about the Dominican Workers' Party (Partido de los Trabajadores Dominicanos, PTD) was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

According to various sources, the PTD was founded in 1979 and its leader and secretary general was listed as Jose Gonzalez Espinoza (Europa World Year Book 2004 2004, 1488; Political Handbook of the World 2000-2002 2002, 320; Leftist Parties of the World 25 July 2004). However, two 2004 Listin Diario newspaper articles mentioned that the PTD secretary general was Antonio Florian (30 Aug. 2004; Listin Diario 5 Apr. 2004).

Information about treatment of PTD members and supporters by the government, authorities and Social Christian Reformist Party (Partido Reformista Social Cristiano, PRSC) followers could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

However, according to the Political Handbook of the World 2000-2002, the PRSC had allied with the PTD for the 1990 elections (2002, 320). In February 2004, Santo Domingo-based newspaper Listin Diario reported that the PTD had formed an alliance with the Dominican Liberation Party (Partido de la Liberacion Dominicana, PLD) for the May 2004 presidential elections (FBIS Report 9 Feb. 2004). This information was corroborated by the Latin American Weekly Report, which noted that PLD leader Leonel Fernandez was supported by the PTD and "a breakaway faction of the PRSC" (18 May 2004, 10). Fernandez eventually won the May 2004 election over Hipolito Mejia of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (Partido Revolucionario Dominicano, PRD) (Latin American Weekly Report 18 May 2004, 10).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Europa World Year Book 2004. 2004. 44th ed. Vol. 1. London: Europa Publications.

FBIS Report. 9 February 2004. "Highlights: Dominican Republic Press 9 Feb 04." (FBIS-LAT-2004-0209 11 Feb. 2004/WNC)

Latin American Weekly Report [London]. 18 May 2004. "Fernandez Sails Through in First Round."

Leftist Parties of the World. 25 July 2004. "Dominican Republic." <http://www.broadleft.org/do.htm> [Accessed 28 Oct. 2004]

Listin Diario [Santo Domingo]. 30 August 2004. "PTD dice Fernandez esta obligado a tomar medidas profundas." <http://www.listin.com.do/antes/agosto04/300804/cuerpos/republica/rep8.htm> [Accessed 1 Nov. 2004]
_____. 5 April 2004. "Dice clase obrera 'pasa las de Cain' en esta gestion." <http://www.listin.com.do/antes/abril04/050404/cuerpos/republica/rep15.htm> [Accessed 1 Nov. 2004]

Political Handbook of the World: 2000-2002. 2002. Edited by Arthur S. Banks, Thomas C. Muller. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International, CIA World Factbook, Clave Digital [Santo Domingo], Country Reports, Dialog, Electionworld.org, Freedom House, Fundacion Institucionalidad y Justicia (FINJUS), Human Rights Watch, Instituto de Derechos Humanos Santo Domingo (IDHSD), Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), Perspectiva Ciudadana, Political Database of the Americas, Resource Center of the Americas, World News Connection.

Publication: Political Parties of the World.