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Rights Groups Denounce Duvalier Ruling, U.S. Urges Appeal
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Written By: Jim Lobe*/ipsnews
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Posted Date: 1/31/2012 9:42:44 PM
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International and local human rights groups Tuesday strongly
denounced the ruling by an investigating judge in Haiti that
former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier should not
face charges for massive human rights abuses committed during
his 15-year reign, from 1971 to 1986.
The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said it was
"extremely disappointed" by the ruling. The U.S. State Department,
noting that the case could still be appealed to higher courts, urged
"the Haitian government to investigate all credible allegations of
corruption and human rights abuses regardless of who commits them and
to prosecute those found responsible."
"We've said over the years that Duvalier's regime was one of
repression and we sympathise with all those who were victimised
during that period and who are seeking accountability and truth on
behalf of themselves or their loved ones," said State Department
spokesperson Molly Lynn Westrate.
She added that Washington has offered to the Haitian government
technical assistance in any investigation, but that the offer had not
been accepted.
Investigating Judge Carves Jean reportedly ruled that the statute of
limitations had run on human rights-related charges against Duvalier
and that he could be prosecuted only for misappropriation of public
funds, a relatively minor offence which carries a maximum sentence of
five years in prison.
The judge declined to make the ruling publicly available, but it
reportedly followed recommendations by the state prosecutor, a sign
that Haiti experts here believe suggests that the one-year-old
government of President Michel Martelly, who is believed to have
personally consulted on occasion with Duvalier, has no interest in
pursuing the case.
"This wrong-headed decision, if upheld on appeal, would entrench
Haiti's culture of impunity by denying justice for Duvalier's
thousands of victims," said Reed Brody, special counsel for New York-
based Human Rights Watch (HRW).
"The handful of victims who have been interviewed had been subjected
to intimidation by Duvalier supporters and his lawyers," noted Javier
Zuniga, special adviser on Haiti to Amnesty, who called the
investigation a "disgrace".
"It is clear that the investigating judge left out invaluable
evidence and decided not to interview all the victims who filed
complaints," he added. "It is a dark day for Haiti and for justice."
Local human rights groups were no less outraged. Anthonal Mortimé,
who directs |
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