The Caribbean Vulnerable Communities (CVC) welcomes a landmark advancement for human rights in the Dominican Republic, following the Constitutional Court’s ruling No. TC/1225/25. In a decision widely celebrated by civil society, the Court struck down Article 210 of Law 285, which governs the National Police Justice Code, and Article 260 of Law 3483, which establishes the Armed Forces Justice Code.
Both provisions had been used to sanction or expel personnel based solely on their sexual orientation. The Court found that these articles violated constitutional guarantees of reasonableness, equality, privacy, and the right to personal and professional development, particularly for LGBT+ members of the police and military.
Civil society groups in the Dominican Republic have welcomed the Court’s decision as a promising step forward, but emphasize that it is only the beginning of a longer process toward justice and equality. Local LGBT+ organisations and human rights defenders stress that the struggle will continue until every person can live openly, safely, and with full dignity.
Daniel Benítez, Executive Director of the Dominican Republic LGBT+ organisation REVASA, underscored the importance of the ruling, pointing out that, “The Constitutional Court recognised that these laws represented unjustified discrimination, violating the privacy and the right to personal and professional development of LGBTQ+ military and police personnel.”
Elias Ramos of CVC highlighted the urgent responsibilities placed on the State as a result of the ruling, saying “The ruling requires the State to immediately implement anti-discrimination protocols, mandatory diversity training, and the investigation of previous cases of unjust sanctions.”
Ramos also noted another important legal development from the Constitutional Court, pointing out that, “It is important to highlight that another step forward is the Dominican Republic’s National Police Organic Law 590-16, which, in Article 153, Section 14, recognises discrimination based on sexual orientation as a serious offense. Activists will therefore continue fighting so that everyone can fully exercise their civic rights.”
While this decision marks a significant turning point, activists note that major gaps in protection remain. There is still no marriage equality, no gender identity law, and no comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation in the Dominican Republic. These omissions leave LGBT+ people vulnerable to discrimination in education, health care, workplaces, and other areas of daily life
CVC and Proactivity for Cooperation and Development commend the extraordinary courage of Anderson Javiel Dirocie de León and Patricia M. Santana Nina, whose appeal to the Constitutional Court made this historic achievement possible. Their leadership has paved the way for stronger protections and greater respect for the rights of LGBT+ people throughout the Dominican Republic.
