UN offers to help Haiti prosecute Duvalier crimes

[News_Editor 48]

UN offers to help Haiti prosecute Duvalier crimes

2011-02-02 02:49:05 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations human rights chief on Tuesday said it had offered Haitian authorities assistance for prosecuting crimes committed during the 15-year rule of former president Jean-Claude Duvalier.

"Haiti has an obligation to investigate the well-documented serious human rights violations that occurred during the rule of Mr. Duvalier, and to prosecute those responsible for them," High Commissioner Navi Pillay said.

"Such systematic violations of rights cannot remain unaddressed. The thousands of Haitians who suffered under this regime deserve justice," she added.

Duvalier, 59, returned to Haiti on January 16 after 25 years in exile. The former president was reportedly questioned and released by the Haitian authorities just days after his arrival in the country, after being charged with corruption, misappropriation of funds and illicit  association.

In other news, the Haitian government said Monday it was ready to grant a passport to former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, which would allow him to return since he was ousted in a coup in 2004.

Aristide, who lives in exile in South Africa, said last month he wanted to return home to help his countrymen, as the country struggles with a post-election crisis.

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