Dominican Republic pushes comprehensive overhaul of penal code

The Dominican Republic’s Congress is preparing to amend 18 articles of the new Penal Code before it takes effect on 3 August. Lawmakers aim to tighten provisions on freedom of expression, defamation, cyber‑bullying, audio and image diffusion, and the protection of children, while also expanding penalties for corruption and other offenses. The reforms eliminate the historic “exceptio veritatis” defence in defamation cases, extend protection to a broader range of public officials, and introduce harsher sanctions that can reach up to ten years’ imprisonment for unauthorized dissemination of private recordings.

Deputies have submitted multiple amendment proposals to the bicameral commission, including changes to articles on audio diffusion (Art. 192), defamation (Art. 208), ultraje (Art. 310) and others. The Chamber of Deputies opened a public consultation to receive further suggestions.

The legislative drive has sparked street protests in Santo Domingo’s Plaza de la Bandera, where hundreds of citizens denounced the changes as a “law of silence” that threatens free speech. Demonstrators also voiced broader concerns about insecurity, high living costs and perceived government overreach. Media outlets and civil‑society groups have warned that the new penalties could curtail journalistic activity and limit the public’s right to record police actions.