International advocacy groups urged Haitian authorities on Wednesday not to drop a rights abuse case against former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier.

Amnesty International and the Open Society Justice Initiative said in separate statements that it is imperative for the former ruler known as “Baby Doc” to be prosecuted for crimes allegedly committed while he was in office.

Duvalier abruptly returned to his native Haiti in 2011 following 25 years in exile in France.

Authorities opened an investigation into allegations of human rights abuses and other crimes associated with his 15-year rule, but a judge recommended a year ago that Duvalier instead be indicted only on charges of embezzling public funds.

The judge said there were no grounds to prosecute Duvalier for alleged crimes against humanity because the statute of limitations had expired under Haitian law — an argument made by his defense team.

The 61-year-old Duvalier would face no more than five years in prison if convicted of financial crimes.

Victims of the purported rights abuses appealed the judge’s decision, and a hearing is scheduled for Thursday in Port-au-Prince.

Duvalier has been ordered to appear in person for the hearing, which falls on the 27th anniversary of his departure from Haiti amid a popular uprising.

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COMMENT: HAITIAN-TRUTH.ORG

Democracy is supposed to guarantee a balanced approach to things.

This ongoing demand for action against Duvalier overlooks many things and totally ignores other realities of Haiti.

The Duvalier period – contrary to media/human rights preaching, was a period of law-and-order, tourism, investment, education, opportunity while the so-called democratic periods of Aristide/Preval were filled with murder, drug trafficking, kidnapping, violence, chaos, financial disasters and other minor problems.

And, all of the alleged crimes of Duvalier are, in fact, Statute Barred.

The crimes of Aristide, and Preval, are not Statute Barred and no one – among the human right loonies are demanding action against them!

Where is the justice for Mireille Durocher-Bertin, Max Mayard, Father Jean-Marie Vincent, Jacques Dominique, Sylvio Claude, Roger Lafontant, Pere Ti Jean, Florvile, Leroy, Antoine Izmery  and hundreds of others?

What about Preval’s theft of $198,000,000 from Petro Caribe funds… Aristide $200,000,000 cooperative plunder?

What about the Aristide/Preval use of Amaral Duclona as a hit man. Where is the French government with regard to Duclona’s killing of their consul?

Let’s have a balanced level playing field.

Duvalier will be acquitted of the false charges.

Preval and Aristide will be convicted of the very real crimes they committed.

We are not optimistic of ever seeing Aristide or Preval in a serious court actions.