The Dominican Repulic
In Latin America, the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation cooperates with the Unión de Partidos Latinoamericanos (UPLA) – a cooperation organization for center-right parties in Latin America and a member of the International Democrat Union (IDU)..
Population: 10 million (2011 estimate)
Area: 48 670 km2
GDP (PPP): 84,94 billion dollar (2010 estimate)
GDP per capita (PPP): 8 600 $ (2010 estimate)
Rate of growth: 4,2 % (2010 estimate)
Head of state and head of government: Leonel Fernandez Reyna
The Dominican Republic is located on the eastern half of the island Hispaniola, while Haiti is located on the western half. There is a conspicuous difference between the two countries. Haiti is among the poorest countries in Latin America, while the Dominican Repulic ranks among the most successful ones. The country gained its independence in 1844. After more than a hundred years of political turbulence, Joaquin Balaguer became president in 1966. He remained in power for almost 30 years until he was forced to resign in response to accusations of election fraud from the international community. Democratic elections have been held regularly ever since, and the country is a functioning democracy. However, some serious problems still remain. Human rights, for example, are not sufficiently safeguarded although much progress has been made in this respect lately. The congress has instated a commissioner for human rights and the government has given the matter high priority. The constitution grants the freedom of speech, the freedom of association, the freedom of religion as well as the right to collective bargaining and to forming unions.
In May 2008, the Unión de Naciones Suramericanas (Unasur) was founded. It is a union of the South American nations modelled on the EU. The union already has twelve member states, though its function is, as of yet, mostly symbolic.
Leonel Fernandez Reyna was reelected president in may 2008. He is a representative of the leftist movement Partido de la Liberación Dominicana and received about 53,6 percent of the votes. Fernandez was the incumbent president and his first period from 1996 to 2000 was marked by rapid economic growth but also by allegations of corruption. He regained the presidency in 2004.
The UPLA-member party Partido Reformista Social Cristiano participated in the presidential elections in 2008 with their candidate Amable Aristy, who received 5 percent of the votes. The Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation cooperates with Partido Reformista Social Cristiano (PRSC) and Fuerza Nacional Progresista (FNP). PRSC is part of the opposition coalition Grand National Alliance. FNP is not represented in the parliament.
The last parliamentary election was held in may 2010.
It is a stated goal of the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation to educate female decision-makers. In the autumn of 2010, the conference Empoderamiento de Mujeres took place in Honduras. The participants came from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Venezuela and the Dominican republic. Concurrently with this conference a youth conference was arranged around a Jarl Hjalmarson publication entitled “Principles for a Free Society.”
