TransAfrica Forum decries Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier’s return to Haiti
Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 08:35AMHuman rights organization calls for his immediate arrest
TransAfrica Forum, the nation’s oldest African American human rights organization, condemns Jean-Claude Duvalier’s return to Haiti and warns against his involvement in Haiti’s political process at this tenuous time.
With the aid of his supporters in the International community and within Haiti, Duvalier has chosen to return amidst a moment of political, social and economic crisis. He has no positive role to play and therefore, we must question Duvalier’s motives for returning.
“In the wake of the earthquake and the midst of an ongoing cholera epidemic, the last thing Haiti needs is an old dictator entering into the political fray. This is a distraction from the real issues facing Haiti today. Duvalier should be immediately arrested and tried for his past crimes,” said Nicole Lee, president of TransAfrica.
Duvalier has lived in exile in France since his family’s brutal dictatorship was ousted by a popular rebellion in 1986. This is first time he has returned to Haiti.
“It is alarming that the international community would allow him to board a plane to Haiti and that the Haitian government would provide him a diplomatic visa. While the international community has shown a high tolerance for right wing dictators, it is surprising that a man of Duvalier’s record and reputation was given passage to Haiti”, said Melinda Miles, coordinator of TransAfrica’s project Let Haiti Live.
Under the Francois and Jean-Claude Duvalier dictatorships countless Haitians were tortured and murdered by the Duvaliers’ thugs the Tonton Macoutes. Charges have been brought against the regime in Haiti, the United States and France and President Rene Preval previously stated if Duvalier returned he would face charges and trial.
While the international media has reported that crowds of Haitians heralded Duvalier’s return, still countless more remember Duvalier’s brutal dictatorship and want to see him come to justice. Though a dangerous diversion, the arrest and just trial of Jean-Claude Duvalier would set a vital precedent for Haiti during a critical time for the country’s governance and capacity to deliver justice for the population.
Reader Comments (3)
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by A Better Way Forward and winston jean, melindayiti. melindayiti said: Let Haiti Live and TransAfrica Forum on Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier’s return to #Haiti: http://t.co/7gfg04G [...]
This is an outrage! I can't believe that ANYONE in ANY COUNTRY would support this man. I feel his bank accounts should be stripped away and all those monies should be given back to Haiti immedatly! The people of Haiti have been through enough and this is a slap in their face.I also think that there should be NO TRIAL b/c we've all seen the damage that he has done while ruling that country. So what's to prove in trial? He should be hung in an open public forum for being a TRAITOR!!!
TransAfrica Forum decries Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier's return ......
Here at World Spinner we are debating the same thing......