Haiti was in the forefront of the news last week. Much of the attention came from the anniversary of the devastating January 2010 earthquake that claimed close to 300,000 lives, injured untold numbers more and left about a million people homeless in the poorest nation in the hemisphere. Despite millions of dollars in aid and the promise of billions more, the country is still struggling to restore basic services and to provide adequate care for its citizens. The return of former dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier to the country on Sunday is likely to make the already difficult situation in politically unstable Haiti worse.
Duvalier was forced from power in 1986. Duvalier like his father, Francis “Papa Doc” before him, ruled Haiti through intimidation and torture. With the help of the Tonton Macoute, a vicious group of thugs masquerading as secret police, the Duvaliers beggared the country and wrecked its democratic institutions to enrich themselves. The revolt against him took time to build, but succeeded against high odds.
Subsequent Haitian governments, including that of current President Rene Preval, have pledged to bring “Baby Doc” to justice for his crimes if he returned. Whether that can be done remains to be seen. The government is weak and ineffective at the moment. It might not be able to indict Duvalier or bring him to trial.
Allowing him to remain without trial is destabilizing and dangerous. Indeed, as this is written, Duvalier was in court. No one was quite sure why he was taken to court on Tuesday, or what was happening there. He was not handcuffed and no charges had been made public. Even so, Duvalier’s presence created problems.
Some Haitians jeered “Baby Doc” publicly Tuesday. Others, many too young to remember the Duvaliers’ rule, cheered the former dictator and took to the streets in his behalf. Haiti cannot afford such polarization.
The government is struggling to claim legitimacy and maintain control in the wake of a troubled first round of presidential elections in November. Widespread cholera and growing domestic and foreign concern about the pace of recovery and rebuilding after the earthquake exacerbate the situation. Duvalier and his followers should not be allowed to exploit those problems to their benefit – and to the detriment of ordinary Haitians.
Duvalier faces numerous civil and criminal charges in Haiti – including crimes against humanity. Now that Duvalier has returned, he should be arrested and brought to trial on those charges. Perhaps that is what the government hoped to put in motion on Tuesday. If not, officials should order Duvalier to return to France, his chosen place of exile. His continued presence in Haiti is too divisive to do otherwise.