Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Rights Groups Urge Haiti to Bring Duvalier to Justice Human rights groups are urging Haitian authorities to bring to justice former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier, who made a surprise return to the country, 25 years after he was ousted in a coup. VOA News 17 January 2011 Jean Claude Duvalier and his wife, at Haiti's international airport, 16 Jan 2010 Duvalier was greeted by a crowd of supporters when he arrived Sunday. Known as "Baby Doc," he took power in 1971 at the age of 19, following the death of his father, Francois "Papa Doc'' Duvalier. He fled the country in 1986. It is unclear why Duvalier has returned. [1]Human Rights Watch says thousands of people were killed and tortured while the younger Duvalier was in power and that his time to be held accountable is "long overdue." He is alleged to have stolen millions of dollars in public funds. [2]Amnesty International says the human rights abuses amount to crimes against humanity, and Haiti is obligated to prosecute him and anyone else responsible for such offenses. Duvalier's return comes at a time of political crisis following the November 28 presidential election that triggered protests and allegations of fraud. The impoverished nation is still struggling with a cholera epidemic and the devestation from an earthquake a year ago, that killed more than 200,000 people and left more than 1 million others homeless. Hundreds of thousands of people still live in tent cities and many parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, remain in ruins. Before returning to Haiti, Duvalier was living in exile in France. References 1. http://www.hrw.org/ 2. http://www.amnesty.org/ .