A/HRC/7/19/Add.5 A/HRC/7/23/Add.3 Page 16 extreme difficulties in obtaining registration documents or in gaining access to skilled employment, even for those in possession of official documents. Some testimonies spoke of the discrimination, harassment and stigmatization faced by those whose names are of Haitian origin to the extent that it is common for people to change their names in order to disguise their origins. 50. In this context, organizations and individuals engaged in the fight against racial discrimination highlighted the increasing difficulties they encounter in carrying out their activities. They emphasized the isolation in which they work, with no support from the political elites, as a result of their denial of the existence of racism in the country. Human rights defenders working with Haitian migrants and Dominicans of Haitian descent described the climate of hostility that they face, particularly from the political and economic elites who consider them as “traitors to the Dominican nation”. This situation results in an increasing fear of the victims they represent to speak openly about acts of racism and discrimination, fearing retaliation from the authorities and deportation to Haiti. IV. ISSUES RELATING TO DOCUMENTATION OF CIVIL STATUS AND CITIZENSHIP 51. Issues of documentation, regularization of legal status and denial or deprivation of citizenship emerged as major concerns for residents of Haitian heritage. These problems impact both long-term settled resident Haitians and Dominican citizens of Haitian descent. A. Documentation 52. It was highlighted to the experts that there are two principal forms of official identity documents, the official birth certificate which establishes nationality, and the identity card or cédula, both vital to accessing a wide range of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. 53. The official birth certificate is required for registering for schools, obtaining health insurance and for accessing other public services. It is also required in order to obtain a passport up to the age of 18. Upon the birth of a child in the Dominican Republic parents receive a document from the hospital, clinic or midwife called constancia de nacimiento (declaration of birth) which must be submitted to the registration office, which in turn registers the birth and issues a birth certificate. At the age of 18 it becomes necessary for individuals to obtain a cédula de identidad. The cédula is a vital document for adults in both public and private spheres, including for enrolment in university and obtaining lawful employment, for eligibility for health insurance and social security, and for the right to vote. It is also necessary for purchasing property, getting married and for registering and baptizing children. The cédula is valid for four years after which it must be renewed. 54. The government agency responsible for issuing these identity documents is the Junta Central Electoral (the Central Electoral Board).7 The Board has responsibility for keeping the 7 The JCE is made up of nine judges who serve in one of two chambers, the Administrative Chamber and the Electoral Proceedings Chamber. Its wider mandate includes initiatives to address the issue of under-registration and to establish a unit for improving the situation in regard to late registration.