'Baby Doc' is back: "Let him be judged for his crimes first, then we'll see"

Jean-Claude Duvalier at the airport in Port au Prince Sunday evening. Photo by Clovis-Alexandre Desvarieux, posted on his website blog.clopix.net.

Jean-Claude Duvalier’s return to Haiti on January 16 made international headlines. Journalists and commentators were quick to recall the numerous human rights violations committed under the former dictator’s rule. Our Observers in Haiti, however, have mixed feelings about his return.

Duvalier, aka “Baby Doc”, ruled the country with an iron fist between 1971 and 1986 before being overthrown by a popular uprising. He has been accused of embezzling over 100 million dollars [74 million euros] in aid money, as well as ordering the imprisonment and torture of thousands of opponents.

Duvalier set foot on Haitian soil for the first time in 25 years on Sunday, putting an end to his golden exile in a luxurious villa on the French Riviera. He enjoys the support of part of the Haitian population, and received a warm welcome at his arrival at Port-au-Prince’s airport. Many of those who did not experience life under Duvalier's rule say they are ready to hear what “Baby Doc” has to say.

The former president declared he returned to the country to “help the Haitian people”. Left in ruins by last January’s devastating earthquake and further weakened by a deadly cholera outbreak, Haiti is currently grappling with a protracted political crisis. The hotly disputed results of the November 28  presidential poll have not yet been officially announced, and the second round has been postponed indefinitely. Current President René Préval declared he may prolong his mandate until May 2011.

According to the French ambassador in Haiti, Jean-Claude Duvalier has a return ticket to France booked for January 20.

Bébé Doc’s arrival at the Toussaint Louverture airport, with his longtime partner, Véronique Roy. Photos: Clovis-Alexandre Desvarieux. Photos posted on blog.clopix.net.

"We have to welcome him. The important is the message, not the messenger"

Jean-Joseph Etienne, 29, is a lawyer in Port-au-Prince.

I was touched to hear that Duvalier came home. I’ve heard about him for so long that it’s good to finally see him.

 

Obviously, I have mixed feelings about his past. Haiti suffered a lot under his rule, but at the same time, living conditions and the economy were much better than today.

 

Like most people here, I don’t know what his reasons for coming back are. But I hope we’ll welcome him like a brother: if he’s really come to help us and mend his ways, we shouldn’t turn our backs on him. The important is the message, not the messenger. We’re more informed and more mature than we used to be, we have nothing to fear from home. The people of Haiti are naturally emotional, but they shouldn’t be upset by this new development”.

 

Jean-Claude Duvalier key chains are sold alongside Obama key chains in a Haiti store. Photo posted on Flickr byMark Murmann.

“A tiger will always be a tiger”

Peguy André Joseph, aka “Le Positif”, works in social communication in the town of Saint-Marc.

“I’m 33, so I barely remember the Duvalier years. But with everything I heard and read about him, I was extremely surprised that he was allowed to come back. I don’t understand why authorities let him enter the country with a diplomatic passport well beyond its expiration date [it was issued in 2005]. I can’t help but think that authorities want to distract people from the real issue at stake, which is the serious political crisis the country is going through. Given the current tense climate, anything that will take the public’s mind off controversial issues is welcome.

 

Duvalier said he is here to “help the Haitian people”, but he obviously has political ambitions as well. During his exile in France, his partner Véronique Roy frequently travelled to Haiti to meet with Duvalier’s supporters and the “Tonton Macoutes” [nickname given to Duvalier’s clique of advisers]. My guess is she was preparing his return.

My main concern is that he face justice for everything he did. He was a dictator, as was his father before him. A tiger will always be a tiger. I hope Haitians won’t see Duvalier as the strongman the country needs. He hasn’t proved his sincere intentions to us. Neither Préval, Aristide nor Duvalier can help the people of Haiti if we don’t help ourselves first.”

A wall in Haiti in August 2010. Posted on Flickr by eleanoram.