Haiti to probe Jean-Claude Duvalier abuses

HAITI will probe crimes against humanity committed during the 15-year rule of ousted strongman Jean-Claude Duvalier who recently returned from exile.

"We welcome with satisfaction the beginning of investigations on crimes against humanity," Gerardo Ducos, Haiti researcher Amnesty International, said.

"It's an important moment for fighting impunity."

Amnesty handed over to Haitian prosecutors more than 100 documents and files relating to abuses and violations, which had been published by the group from 1976 to 1986, he said.

Amnesty highlighted cases of torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial crimes committed during the 15-year rule of the ousted dictator, known as "Baby Doc" Duvalier.

"Victims have a right to reparations, not only financial reparation but also the revival of collective memory," Mr Ducos said.

"Bringing the perpetrators of these crimes to justice is one of the state's obligations."

"Impunity breeds a climate where human rights abuses carry on. We have to break this cycle of impunity."

Duvalier, ousted in a popular uprising that ended his 1971-1986 rule, shocked many Haitians by returning to his homeland last weekend after a quarter-century in exile.

He has said he wants to help the country after last year's devastating earthquake that killed more than 220,000 people, but his exact motives remain unclear, stirring fears he could be seeking to profit from Haiti's current political turmoil.

Duvalier however has already been hit with a series of legal challenges.

On Tuesday, he was charged with corruption, embezzlement of public funds and criminal association during his rule; in a separate legal challenge, four Haitians filed lawsuits alleging crimes against humanity.

On Thursday, a judge barred the 59-year-old Duvalier from leaving Haiti because of a court order against him.

Ducos denied claims made by Duvalier's lawyers that he cannot be charged with any crimes because the statute of limitations had expired after 10 years, and the ousted leader was in exile for 25 years in France.

"There is no statute of limitation for crimes against humanity," Mr Ducos insisted.

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