Santiago.- The Public Ministry turned the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration into a symbol of the fight against human trafficking this Thursday night by illuminating it in blue, during an act in which it reaffirmed its commitment to prosecute criminal networks, protect victims, and strengthen investigations throughout the national territory.
The director of the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office against Human Trafficking and Illicit Smuggling of Migrants, Magistrate Johanna Bejarán, stated that the lighting of the iconic monument represents a message of hope for victims and a warning to those who profit from human exploitation.
“May no victim be alone and may no exploiter sleep soundly,” the magistrate expressed, highlighting that the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration symbolizes the freedom conquered by the Dominican people and that it now also represents the State’s commitment to restoring freedom to those who have been victims of trafficking.
During his speech, Bejarán revealed that investigations and cases prosecuted for human trafficking have doubled in the last three years, while convictions increased by 50%. Likewise, he reported that the number of rescued victims went from 56 in 2023 to 138 in 2025, reflecting a strengthening of the institutional response.
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The official also highlighted the creation of a modern investigation unit with a laboratory specialized in cyber-trafficking, the development of joint operations with the National Police and international organizations, as well as the formation of investigation teams with authorities from other countries to confront this transnational crime.
He indicated that the Attorney General’s Office will continue to expand specialized prosecutor’s offices against human trafficking in different provinces, by order of the Attorney General of the Republic, Berenice Reynoso, in addition to increasing the appointment of specialized prosecutors and police officers to combat these criminal structures.
Bejarán paid tribute to prosecutors, investigators, psychologists, experts from the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF), social workers, and technicians who accompany victims during judicial processes, highlighting that their work demonstrates the human face of the Dominican State.
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The magistrate assured that the Public Prosecutor’s Office will continue to identify, prosecute, and bring to justice those who turn human beings into merchandise, while simultaneously guaranteeing the comprehensive protection and reintegration of the victims.
Likewise, he urged citizens to report any sign of possible exploitation, reminding them that human trafficking is often hidden behind false job offers, alleged modeling opportunities, or suspicious situations within communities.
“Every report, no matter how small it may seem, can return freedom to a person,” he stated.
The event was attended by the chief prosecutor of Santiago, Quirsa Abreu; the provincial governor, Rosa Santos; the attorney general of the Santiago Court of Appeals, Juan Carlos Bircann, as well as representatives of civil and military institutions.
