Three days after a surprise return to Port au Prince Haiti's former dictator Jean Claude Duvalier after an exile of 25 years in France, also a former president of Haiti Jean Bertrand Aristide has expressed a desire to follow his steps and return to the devastated and unstable Caribbean nation as "private citizen." Aristide, 57, today sent a letter to the Government of South Africa, where in exile since 2004, in which he declares his intentions."Once again, I reiterate that I am ready to go (in Haiti) today, tomorrow or any time," writes Aristide as Haiti Press Network page. The exmandatario explains that his desire to return home has been revived by "the enormous challenges faced since the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010." "Since my arrival in this continent (Africa), the Haitian people has never ceased to encourage my back," he says.
Aristide's stated goal is to work with people in education. "The goal is very clear," he said in the letter. "It's about helping to serve" to Haitians as "ordinary citizen" in education, says the former president. Aristide also ensures that you return home for health reasons, since in recent years has been operated up to six times the eyes.
"Surgeons are excellent, but the terrible pain during winter should be avoided to reduce the risk of complications and blindness," he says. The proceedings against Duvalier Consequently, the former leader calls on governments of Haiti and South Africa agree to coordinate their return to the island, while grateful to the African country's authorities for their hospitality.
Aristide, 57, was the first democratically elected president in Haiti after decades of dictatorships. Access to power in 1991 but immediately was overthrown in a coup. In 1994 he was reinstated in office to complete his two-year term. Reelected in 2001 and ousted three years later. Since then he has remained in exile in South Africa.
The movements of the two former presidents are produced in the context of severe political crisis of suspected fraud in the first round. The Organization of American States has recommended the replacement of the incumbent candidate, Jude Celestin, by musician Michel Martelly, who actually would have been the second most votes and therefore should meet in the second round of voting for the former first lady Mirlande Manigat.
Meanwhile, one of Duvalier's lawyers said he would not be tried for economic crimes against him because, under the laws of Haiti, as prescribed. On his arrival in the country, the former president was accused of corruption, abuse of power, theft and misappropriation of public funds during his tenure between 1971 and 1986.
Justice released yesterday put him in charge. George Reinol Counsel explained that Haitian law reflects the position of "limited status", according to which no crime can be judged after 10 years of its commission. "I have to go by the law and that the charges should have made them on time," George said in an interview with Telesur.
However, this term only applies to common crimes, among which are part of the objections made by the state, corruption, theft and misappropriation of public funds. Article 41 of the Haitian Constitution provides an exception for so-called crime "heinous", among which are crimes against humanity.
So, would not effect the state charges, and no allegations of torture of four victims of the regime, including a former UN spokesman, presented yesterday, that they can trigger a criminal prosecution. The lawsuits were filed by journalist Michele Montas, a former spokesman for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and by Alix Fils-Aime and Claude Rosiers, two former political prisoners, and Nicole Magloire, a victim of the dictatorship of Baby Doc, published by local media and Haiti Haiti Press Network Free.
The Haitian community, whose late husband and fellow journalist Jean Dominique, was sent into exile during the Duvalier regime, explained that filed the complaint for "illegal detention, exile, destruction of private property, physical and moral torture, violation of civil and political rights.
" Duvalier, known as Baby Doc, ruled Haiti from 1971 to 1986 as successor to his father, Francois Duvalier, who had done since 1957. The Duvalier led a regime that is considered responsible for numerous crimes and the diversion of millions sums belonging to the funds. In this regard, several human rights organizations have pointed to Duvalier as responsible for the deaths of 150,000 people, victims of extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances, mostly at the hands of pro-government militia known as the Tonton Macoutes.
In 1987, Duvalier, 59, was tried in court for a civil lawsuit over the alleged diversion for personal gain of $ 120 million of state funds, and in 1991 he filed another claim for the alleged theft of 800 million apparently had different banks in the United States, Switzerland and France.
Since his arrival on a flight from Martinique, has not clarified the precise reasons for his return, although he said he has "come to stay" and did not rule out the possibility that it may resume his political career.
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