Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier Returns to Haiti

Port-au-Prince, Haiti - After 25 years in exile, former Haiti President Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, returned yesterday to a Haiti which a year ago was devastated by a 8.0 magnitude earth quake which has cause the death of some 300,000 persons while another 1 million more have been displaced.

Mr Duvalier was forced into exile in France 25 years ago by a popular uprising backed by the Reagan administration led international diplomatic pressure.

He had led Haiti since the death of his father, François "Papa Doc" Duvalier in 1971, at the age of 19 for a period of 15 years until his overthrow, and exile to France in 1986.

Duvalier, the dictator known as 'Baby Doc' who ruled Haiti for 15 years before fleeing in 1986, has vowed to play a role in the "rebirth" of the beleaguered country following his unexpected return.

Since his departure from Haiti, Duvalier has lost much of his wealth (wikipedia) and has been trying to return to Haiti, though unsuccessfully until this point.

After landing, he told reporters: "I wanted to show [Haitians] my solidarity, to tell them that I am here, I am well disposed and determined to participate in the rebirth of Haiti." But he later told local radio: "I'm not here for politics. I'm here for the reconstruction of Haiti." (telegraph)

Certain special groups such as Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International have been calling for the arrest and prosecution of Duvalier following his return to Haiti for alledge cases of massive corruption, repression and human rights abuses during his 1971-1986 rule.