Switzerland Files to Return Duvalier’s Millions to Haiti
Switzerland says it has begun legal proceedings to return the frozen assets of former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier to the Haitian government.
Switzerland says the assets total about $6 million.
In February a new law intended to make it easier for Swiss authorities to return illegally obtained funds to their country of origin took effect. The law was prompted in part by the legal battle over Duvalier’s funds. It requires that the money be used for civic interests.
The former Haitian leader’s Swiss accounts were frozen 25 years ago when he was ousted from office.
Haiti is the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country. It is struggling to rebuild following a January 2010 earthquake that left more than 200,000 people dead and 1 million others homeless. Hundreds of thousands of people still live in tent camps.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
Oh my God. that is it six millions.anyyway better some then none haiti need money now
This entire situation is quite bizarre!
In the first place, the money does not belong to Jean Claude Duvalier, and he has never claimed it, as such. It belonged to his mother’s charity.
The day after the January 12, 2010 earthquake disaster, President Duvalier asked that it be turned over to some accountable group, for the assistance of Haiti’s people.
He did not consider the Preval government an accountable organization, in view of the hundreds of millions it has already stolen, including $198,000,000 from Petro Caraibe funds, dedicated to relief of hurricane victims.
Some months ago, Ira Kurzban, the guy who has received over $10,000,000 from Haiti in legal fees, made a big noise about theb $6,100,000 Swiss funds. He was headed for Haiti to initiate action. Ed Marger, a Duvalier attorney, wrote Kurzban suggesting that he agree to a situation in which the cash was released immediately to the Haitian people – and Kurzban would receive his 15% fee – which is what he really wanted. An embarrassed Kurzban denies receiving the letter and has said nothing about the money since.
The Swiss legal system ordered the return of the money to the Duvalier charity.
Then the Swiss, paragons of democracy – created a law in retrospect, that allowed them to ignore their own legal system…. all over $6,000,000!!!
The Swiss, with one small act, became a Banana Republic of no law.