Death of U.S.-Backed Ex-Dictator "Baby Doc" Duvalier Won’t End Haitian Victims' Quest for Justice

democracynow.org - The former U.S.-backed dictator of Haiti, Jean-Claude Duvalier, known as "Baby Doc," has died at 63. Duvalier ruled Haiti from 1971 to 1986, taking power after the death of his father who had ruled since 1957. Baby Doc's death came just months after a Haitian court ruled that he could be charged with crimes against humanity under international law, and that he could also be held responsible for abuses by the army and paramilitary forces under his rule. Under his regime, hundreds of political prisoners held in a network of prisons died from their extraordinarily cruel treatment. Baby Doc's government repeatedly closed independent newspapers and radio stations. Journalists were beaten, in some cases tortured, jailed and forced to leave the country. Despite his human rights record, Baby Doc was a close ally of the United States. After years of exile in France, he returned to Haiti in 2011 and became an ally of Haiti's current president Michel Martelly. We are joined by Haitian activist and writer Jean Saint-Vil and journalist Amy Wilentz, author of "The Rainy Season: Haiti Since Duvalier."
This video is an excerpt of the segment. Watch the full 25-minute discussion on Democracy Now! in our archive: www.democracynow.org/2014/10/6...
Take a moment to watch all of the Democracy Now! reports about the political situation in Haiti in our archive: www.democracynow.org/topics/haiti
Democracy Now!, is an independent global news hour that airs weekdays on 1,200+ TV and radio stations Monday through Friday. Watch our livestream 8-9am ET at democracynow.org.
Please consider supporting independent media by making a donation to Democracy Now! today: owl.li/ruJ5Q
FOLLOW DEMOCRACY NOW! ONLINE:
Facebook: / democracynow
Twitter: / democracynow
KZbin: / democracynow
SoundCloud: / democracynow
Daily Email: democracynow.org/subscribe
Google+: plus.google.com/+DemocracyNow
Instagram: / democracynow
Tumblr: democracynow.tumblr
Pinterest: / democracynow

[@manuelmanuel9248]

This is another example of the US’ unending efforts to spread democracy around the world.

[@LACHRONICLES]

As a Haitian no tears here.. Peace...

[@franceshopkins2037]

So sorry this monster and his monstrous father brutalized the Haitian people.

[@mucha9196]

America is what’s the problem in the world please mind your own business in your own country and stop meddling in other countries

[@machovalkarie7896]

We will spread freedom

[@ShangoDC]

Finally poetic justice for this SOB!

[@jvarela965]

The Reagan Administration engineered his overthrow in 1986. Papa Doc kicked the U.S. Ambassador out of Haiti in the 60s. Just because the U.S. had diplomatic relations with Haiti does not mean he was a U.S. ally. The Duvaliers had a large following in Haiti despite how oppressive the regime was.

[@gidgethrobowski3860]

He was a U.S. puppet, when the violence came and he was ousted he flew out on the U.S. plane.

[@jvarela965]

@@gidgethrobowski3860 President Kennedy ordered the CIA to engineer papa docs Overthrow. His secret police foil the plot and The elder Duvalier kicked the American ambassador out of the country. Baby docs regime was tame Compared to that his father. The Duvalier had a large chunk of supporters among Haiti’s population The relationship with Washington is not as black-and-white as you think.

[@gidgethrobowski3860]

@@jvarela965 What does it matter whether this evil man had a lot of followers are you saying this to make some sort of a point? I read P.D. kicked the U.S. Ambassador out of Haiti but that doesn't mean his son didn't have connections to the U.S. His supporters were either afraid of the eldest Duvalier or they were just as greedy.

[@jvarela965]

@@gidgethrobowski3860 Im not defending Baby Doc or worse Michelle, I am simply saying you have to deal with the people who are in power or you do a regime change which as we have seen in recent years in Iraq, Libya, the cure is often worse than the disease. Haitians themselves rose up and tossed Duvalier and the U.S. and France facilitated his departure from the country to avoid further bloodshed. Nations have their own histories and you have to sometimes stay back and let them have their own politics even when it is painful to watch.

[@Klauserasme]

@@jvarela965 exactly its time the US stop getting involve with haiti politics if that's what your implying but don't forget that they kick out the first democraticly elected leader out of haiti its time for the Haitian population to thrive being self sustainable and kick out dirty politicians

[@bowlampar]

"HIs death is terribly sad for the Haitian" , you are living in a fictional world , lol! 😝😝

[@karensmith2220]

She said it was sad for the Haitian people because they will never have a chance to see him being brought to justice.

[@waspwrap1235]

I love how anti communists always use this as an example as a failure of Socialism, but was backed by the most capitalist country on earth

[@leomate8301]

nope. Papa doc kicked out the usa in the 60s. Doc was an anti communist conservative voodoo nationalist. Doc's own books he wrote in french debunks everything. also the USA couped his son in the 80s. then again, you leftoids are braindead on the Doc Era.

[@bodyloverz30]

Aristead was not Haiti's first democratically elected president, as Papa Doc was democratically elected, for his first term of office.

[@gidgethrobowski3860]

How was poppa doc's election democratic wasn't he the only one on the ballot?

[@bodyloverz30]

@@gidgethrobowski3860 Not his first election in the late 1950's.

[@gidgethrobowski3860]

@@bodyloverz30 Thanks for the info. How did he come to rule and in the beginning, was this man cruel and evil?

[@bodyloverz30]

@@gidgethrobowski3860 Evolution Of Evil E01: Papa Doc Duvalier | Full Documentary

[@gidgethrobowski3860]

@@bodyloverz30 Thanks! I'm African, my mother was Somalian, and my dad, a Polish Jew. I try to learn as much as I can about my people.

[@chenzomutumbo9140]

Robert Duval look different...

[@kuntakinteakatzoe9562]

God is not white. Com 🤣🤣

[@supernova44]

Your irrelevant point is?

[@Twasforthevine]

K and ?

[@antoniomareus6072]

J

[@dawnfucile922]

While the world continues to have compassion for the country since the devastation from the hurricane, some people, hopefully, have turned to the Spiritual Realm, our Ascended Masters, Heavenly Host and Angels to raise them out of their despair and hopelessness. No more dark energy voodoo. Ask, Believe, Receive and the Victory of the Light will prevail. God Bless!

[@joemoe4972]

That’s what the whites have you as they took your land. A Bible. Something to worship and a religion. So they seek comfort in their desperate times of need. He came back because he was broke. All those millions he lost to his lady

[@LegCreator]

First

[@josephcharlemagne3577]

So

[@wilottoussaint9447]

Humaines right where???👂👂🤔😭😭😭

[@DavidSamuelBl10]

I'm not a fan of Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, & I'm N🚫T like him, but I'm truly 🇭🇹an-🇺🇸n autistic person. Also I truly hate his type of tradition.

[@wilottoussaint9447]

What about know???who you support?

[@DavidSamuelBl10]

None of my business,@@wilottoussaint9447. And Duvalier's truly *_N🚫T_* my type.