Dictator - Haiti Observer Blog

Pras Michél of the Fugees who was one of the first supporters of Michel Martelly and subsequently has kept his distance due to dissatisfaction with the Martelly team made his opinion known. In an interview at a screening of his documentary "Sweet Micky for President", Pras stated that democracy doesn't work in Haiti.

Pra made it clear that "Haiti needs a progressive leader, a hybrid dictator like China"."Haiti needs someone to rule with an iron fist and then take their foot off the pedal."

This is not the first time I hear these kind of statements being made by either Haitian or people who have been following Haitian politics for years. I personally have been one who always believe that people have the right to govern themselves and any system that will impose rules on a population doesn't have a place on today society.

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It has just been reported that former Haitian President jean Claude Duvalier is dead. Known as "Baby Doc" or "Baby Doc", Jean claude Duvalier was born on July 3, 1951 in Port-au-Prince. He was a politician and President from 1971 to 1986 after the death of his father, François Duvalier.

According to sources close to the family, Jean Claude Duvalier died as a result of a heart attack.

Mezanmi gro nouvel. Yo jis reporte ke Jean Claude Duvalier mouri jodia, 3 Octob, 2014. Ke- li rete. Mwin ape cheche plis informasyon pou mwen pote ba nou.

Rete konekte ak HaitiObserver tande

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Elie Lescot became Haiti's 31st president in 1941. Born into the mulatto elite class, Lescot began his political career after the death of his wife. He served in the Chamber of Deputies, Parliament's lower house, later becoming a political appointee under presidents Borno and Vincent.

His position as Ambassador to the Dominican Republic (DR) led him to become an ally of DR President Trujillo. Trujillo's political capital helped Lescot win the presidency, despite the Chamber of Deputies opposition of him.

Elie Lescot immediately wielded power by installing himself as Commander of the Military Guard and populating government posts with Caucasian and mulatto elites. Haiti's majority black populace detested him for his prejudice.

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This is one for Haiti history book, former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier appeared in a Haitian court for the first time Thursday (February 28, 2013) to answer charges of human rights abuses during his brutal lasting over 15 years (1971-1986).

Te courtroom holding that historic event in Port-au-Prince was packed. One could remark the presence of several journalists, activists, supporters of the Duvalier regimes, as well as representatives from several embassies.

This was also the first time the victims were facing Jean Claude Duvalier, the one they directly accused of being the perpetrator of all these crimes. Alix Fils-Aime and Robert Duval, two of the most vocal victims of Duvalier Crimes were present at the court hearing. It was the first time for them to see Jean Claude Duvalier answer direct questions about the widespread abuses associated with his dictatorial government.

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Francois Duvalier, 40th President of Haiti, began life in Port-au-Prince. Born to a well-to-do family, he earned a medical degree from the University of Haiti. After serving as a political appointee under President Estimé, he ran for the presidency under a populist platform that won support from the Afro-Haitian electorate. He won and began his rule of tyranny, manipulating the Constitution to declare himself "President for Life".

Francois Duvalier tolerated no opposition to his repressive policies. He intimidated his enemies, routinely ordering assassinations, an estimated 30,000 of them. Many educated Haitians fled Haiti, and the island has never recovered its intelligentsia.

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Jean-Claude Duvalier was growing up in an insular and wealthy family culture. When Francois Duvalier died in 1971, Jean-Claude inherited the presidency while still in his teens. At this time he was considered the youngest person on the globe to hold the office.

Jean-Claude Duvalier was not interested in the duties of office, delegating authority in most government matters to his mother, Simone. He made only superficial changes to his father's administration, preferring instead to be a figurehead rather than a hands-on ruler.

Jean-Claude Duvalier engaged in corruption practices, using family riches from a tobacco inheritance to steal revenues from government programs. Other illegal activities used to increase his wealth included selling human remains to medical institutions outside the country and drug trafficking.

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The early years of independent politics in Haiti are marked by coup d'états and violence as several powerful political leaders clash for total control over the country. One of these notorious figures in this era of political turmoil is François Duvalier, more popularly known as "Papa Doc".

Francois Duvalier was Haiti's president for fourteen years from 1957 until his death in 1971. Before becoming the country's most powerful man, he was a physician in local hospitals and communities in the country where he treated the poor from infectious tropical diseases such as malaria and typhus. With his recollection of brutal political conflicts happening in Haiti during his time, Francois Duvalier was inspired to enter the world of politics. He was selected by then President Dumarsais Estimé as the National Public Health Service's Director General.

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What an accusation. The President of the Lower House was unable to be more diplomatic after the arrest of Deputy Arnel Belizaire. Sorel Jacinthe put it straight and clear: ""We are in presence of a dictator", in referring to the government of Michel Martelly.

This is strong Statement here.

In speaking to the press, the President of the Lower House, Sorel Jacinthe stated that:"I will not speak with emotions" and continued to inform the press that the government respects no one, it does not respect the law. He does what he wants of the people. He is the supreme leader and has a record on each person so he can do what he wants. Deputy Sorel Jacinthe reminded the Haitian press how the President has treated them.

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This video will definitely mean something to many Haitians. It was a time when Haiti was under the dictatorship of Jean-Claude Duvalier. Some people have positive memories of the Duvalier the same way some have negative memories. For some people who will be watching this video, it will remind them of a time when things were good for them in Haiti. However for many, this can only remind them of abuse, repression, death and exile.

During the Duvalier era many names became popular; some in a noble aspect; but many, in unscrupulous ways. Some of the names during both Francois Duvalier and Jean-Claude Duvalier that became famous include the following:

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Issue 1: A new Swiss law to be effective February 1, 2011 allows the Swiss authorities to return close to $7 million frozen in Jean-Claude Duvalier's account to the Haitian government.

Issue 2: On January 16, 2011, just 15 days before the law takes effect, former Haitian President Jean-Claude Duvalier is in Haiti, at the surprise of Many. The former Haitian dictator says he is in Haiti because he wants to help his country.

Issue 3: Jean-Claude Duvalier hired Bob Barr, a former US Congressman, as his advisor. He is also requested the services of two other American lawyers include: Ed Marger and Mike Puglise to help Jean-Claude to unlock frozen funds from Swiss Banks.

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