Edwin Paraison, representative of the Zile Foundation•©️Listín Diario
Santo Domingo, 8 December 2025.- The tragic death of 11-year-old Stéphora Joseph continues to shake the Dominican Republic. His mother, Lovelie Joseph, received a rare impetus of national solidarity, while the justice system continued its investigation and the debate on racism towards Haitian students resurfaced. Between popular support, interventions by major political actors and shadow zones surrounding the videos of the incident, the case reveals the extreme complexity of the Haitian condition in neighbouring land.
A national solidarity around a Haitian mother
Selon Edwin Paraison, représentant de la Fondation Zile, dans un entretien accordé à la radio Magik9 ce lundi 8 décembre, la réaction de la société dominicaine a été massive et exemplaire. « ce n’est pas quelques personnes isolées… c’est toute la société qui s’est levée « , souligne-t-il. Sur X et Instagram, des voix influentes, dont le réputé juriste dominicain Dr Félix Portes, ont exprimé leur indignation et offert assistance légale gratuite à la famille.
On the part of the authorities, three major figures expressed themselves:
- Vice-President Raquel Peña;
- the first lady;
- the Minister of the Interior;
and the Attorney General. All required a full and transparent investigation.
A case revealing deep malaise in Dominican schools
The Stéphora dossier highlights a heavy paradox: the student was recognized as brilliant, deserving, valued by his school, but exposed to persistent forms of exclusion related to his origin and skin colour.
Edwin Paraison rappelle que des dizaines de milliers d’élèves haïtiens fréquentent les écoles dominicaines, souvent sans dispositifs éducatifs prévus pour prévenir ou gérer les discriminations. L’affaire relance la nécessité d’une politique d’éducation à la tolérance, notamment envers les enfants haïtiens victimes de moqueries racisées. La pression psychologique subie par la fillette était telle que, selon Paraison, « elle en était arrivée à vouloir changer sa couleur de peau « .
An investigation under tension: edited videos, blind spots and persistent doubts
The ongoing investigation of the Public Prosecutor's Office is progressing, but several shadow areas remain. The videos circulating online would be published, according to family lawyers who now demand access to the full recordings. Media in Santiago refer to the hypothesis of external intervention, possibly involving other students, reinforced by certain elements described by Dominican journalists. The school, recognized for its excellence, faces a charge of manslaughter, and media pressure forced it to anticipate Christmas holidays.
Edwin Paraison recommends an appropriate psychological approach to interviewing classmates: « They are 11-year-olds, affected, who must speak in the best conditions. » Beyond the individual drama, the death of Stéphora Joseph became a symbol in the Dominican Republic and internationally. Several foreign media, including the Miami Herald, are already following the case.
Pour Paraison, « toute la lumière doit être faite « , non seulement pour rendre justice, mais aussi pour ouvrir un débat national sur la condition des enfants haïtiens, entre intégration, racisme et vulnérabilité.
W.A.
