Several human right groups have called on the authorities in Haiti to ensure the prosecution of people accused of human rights abuses during the era of the Jean Claude Duvalier administration.
Four years after the case against Duvalier and 17 others was being heard in the Court of Appeal, the International Federation of Human Rights Leagues (FIDH), the National Network for the Defense of Human Rights (RNDDH) and the Ecumenical Center for Human Rights (ECHR) have released a new report calling for the continuation of the investigation in the alleged crimes against humanity committed between 1971 and 1986. with a view to its speedy closure.
Fear lack of political will
They fear that a lack of political will could result in none of the perpetrators accused of committing crimes committed – where thousands of Haitians were tortured and killed – being brought to justice.
The report titled “Case Jean-Claude Duvalier and consorts: In Haiti the investigation continues, criminals not prosecuted”, reviews the various stages of the procedure against those responsible for the regime of Jean-Claude Duvalier, known as “Baby Doc,” who came to power at age 19, following the death of his father Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier, in 1971.
The procedure that started in 2008, was not really launched until the return of Jean-Claude Duvalier in Haiti in January 2011.
Obstacles
The report makes references to the obstacles that the civil party victims and their lawyers had to overcome, and the difficulties still being encountered in closing the supplementary investigation requested by the Court of Appeal in February 2014, in order to have those accused committed to trial.
The report notes that only seven of the original 17 people are still alive, while others close to the power of Jean-Claude Duvalier could and should be charged and sent to trial, the report said.
Demonstrate real will for justice
The FIDH, the RNDDH and the ECHR say they are calling on the Haitian authorities to demonstrate a real will to make justice, the fight against impunity and the rule of law a priority, by guaranteeing the independence of the judiciary while granting him sufficient means to carry out his mission.
