LEAD: UN says Haiti's Duvalier must be tried for torture, killings

Jan 31, 2012, 23:53 GMT

New York - The United Nations human rights arm on Tuesday expressed dismay at a proposal to try former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier for corruption instead of the more serious charges of rape, torture and killings committed under his rule.

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva protested the ruling, saying Duvalier's human rights violations have been well documented.

'The High Commissioner has consistently reminded Haiti of its absolute obligation to investigate these well-documented serious human rights violations and to prosecute those responsible for them,' said Rupert Colville, a spokesman for the office, in a news briefing in Geneva that was available at the UN in New York.

The commission cited serious human rights violations, including torture, rape, and extra-judicial killings, which have been documented by human rights organizations in Haiti and abroad under the Duvalier regime.

The commission was reacting to a Haitian investigative judge Carves Jean, who on Monday reportedly decided that Duvalier would only face charges of corruption.

'We are extremely disappointed at reports that Mr Duvalier may not be charged with any human rights crimes, despite numerous complaints by victims to the prosecutor,' Colville stated.

'Impunity for such serious crimes cannot be allowed to prevail and we urge the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is, belatedly, delivered to the many victims of human rights abuses committed under the government of Mr Duvalier,' Colville added.

Michael Forst, the UN's Independent Expert on human rights in Haiti, arrived Tuesday in Port au Prince for an eight-day stay to assess the human rights situation and the suspected 'situation of impunity,' according to a UN press release in French.

'If the information concerning Jean-Claude Duvalier is confirmed, this would mean a very serious blow to the credibility of the process of reforms of the judiciary system in Haiti,' said Forst on his arrival in Port au Prince.

He also reminded that 'international law forbids amnesty' to people accused of crimes against humanity.

Duvalier ruled the poverty-stricken Caribbean island with a tyrant's hand for 15 years before going into exile in France in 1986. He returned to Haiti last year.

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