HAITI / FORST DUVALIER

The United Nations (UN) independent expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti said today that the meaning of "the fight against impunity should be reminded every time we approach the case of Jean Claude Duvalier." MINUSTAH

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:37
• Production Date: 8 February 2012
• Asset Language: Original
• Subject Topical: CRIMES; CRIMINAL JUSTICE
• Geographic Subject: HAITI; UNITED NATIONS STABILIZATION MISSION IN HAITI - MINUSTAH
• MAMS Id: U120208c

Description

STORY: HAITI / FORST DUVALIER
TRT: 1.37
SOURCE: MINUSTAH / ARCHIVE
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: FRENCH /NATS

DATELINE: 8 February 2012, PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI

Shotlist

1. Various shots, Journalists in the press conference room
2. SOUNDBITE (French) Michel Forst, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti, United Nations:
“The meaning of the fight against impunity should be reminded every time we approach the case of Jean Claude Duvalier. This case raises strong feelings and my thoughts go out to victims and relatives of victims, because it is primarily they who wait for Haitian justice, that those responsible for crimes are brought to justice. They also expect a real recognition of the qualification of the crime against humanity."
3. Various shots, Journalists asking questions to Michel Forst
4. SOUNDBITE (French) Michel Forst, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti, United Nations:
“All legal and judicial assistance was provided to the Haitian authorities to incorporate these complicated concepts of international law in the Haitian criminal code. Now Judge Jean Carves has made his decision, now justice has to take its course. The families can naturally appeal according to the law."
5. Med shots, journalist asking question
6. SOUNDBITE (French) Michel Forst, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti, United Nations:
“If the appeal is not satisfactory, there will be the Court of Cassation and if the Haitian Court of Cassation does not entitle victims' complaints, then there is a higher court which is the Inter-American Court (of Human Rights). There is also a text that will be published by the Organization of American States (OAS), which recalls the obligation to bring Jean Claude Duvalier to trial for crimes against humanity.”
7. Med shot, journalists attending press conference

Storyline

The United Nations (UN) independent expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti said that the meaning of “the fight against impunity should be reminded every time we approach the case of Jean Claude Duvalier.”

Speaking at a press conference today in Port au Prince, Michel Forst said that
the case against Duvalier raises “strong feelings” because it is “they (Haitians) who wait for Haitian justice, that those responsible for crimes are brought to justice.”

The independent expert reiterated deep disappointment concerning the treatment
of the Jean-Claude Duvalier case, and recalled the numerous statements and
reports of the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights that constantly reminded the severity of the crimes committed. "My first thoughts go to the victims and their families, and I support their decision to appeal the judge's decision in order to proceed with the case."

He said the judge had made his decision and now “justice must take its course”
and that according to the law families can appeal the ruling.

Forst added that if the appeal was not “satisfactory” there was the Court of Cassation and the Inter-American Court.

Last week, the UN voiced its concern that former Haitian President Jean-Claude Duvalier may only face financial charges and not charges relating to serious human rights violations that took place during his 15-year rule.

According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
human rights violations including torture, rape and extrajudicial killings have been extensively documented by Haitian and international human rights organizations to have occurred in the country during his reign.

Human rights groups have long called for Mr. Duvalier to be arrested in relation to rights abuses carried out during his rule.

The former president made a surprise return to Haiti in January 2011, after 25 years of exile in France and amidst a political crisis in his country. Soon after Mr. Duvalier’s return, OHCHR offered Haitian authorities technical assistance for prosecuting crimes committed from 1971 to 1986 when he was in power.