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For Immediate Release
Contact: AIUSA media office,Email:,media@aiusa.org,Phone: 202-544-0200 x302

Haitian Authorities Commit to Investigating HR Abuses Under Duvalier

Human Rights Organization Gives Authorities 101 Documents Detailing Dozens of Cases of Torture, Extrajudicial Executions and More Between 1971 and 1986

PORT-AU-PRINCE

Haitian authorities have
told Amnesty International they are launching an investigation into crimes
against humanity committed during Jean-Claude Duvalier's rule in the 1970s
and 80s.

Amnesty International Haiti Researcher Gerardo
Ducos met yesterday with Haiti Prosecutor Harycidas Auguste and Minister
of Justice Paul Denis to discuss the need for an investigation into the
abuses committed during Duvalier's years in power.

Ducos handed over 101 documents detailing
dozens of cases of detention without trial, systematic torture, enforced
disappearances and extrajudicial executions which took place in Haiti between
1971 and 1986.

"Investigating Jean Claude Duvalier for
the human rights crimes committed during his time in power is a massive
step forward," said Ducos. "What we need to see now is a swift and impartial
process, in line with international standards, that truly brings justice
for those who have been waiting for too long."

Amnesty International also urged the Haitian
authorities to ensure that all victims and survivors of abuses committed
during Duvalier's rule - including those living outside Haiti -- have
an opportunity to provide evidence in the process.

"We are also calling on the United Nations
to offer technical support to the Haitian authorities to ensure the trial
against Jean Claude Duvalier meets the expectations of the Haitian people
and the international community," said Ducos.

Note to Editors

Gerardo Ducos will be available for interviews
today between 9.30 and 11:00 am Local Time (14:30Hs GMT) at Hotel Le Plaza,
Salle Therese 2, 10 Rue Capois, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Amnesty International's Senior Advisor and
Haiti expert, Javier Zuniga, is available for interviews and analysis in
London.

For more information, please contact:

In Port-au-Prince:
Carolina Roman,
+509 3784 4619.

In London:

Josefina Salomon, +44 7778
472 116, jsalomon@amnesty.org

In New York:
Wende
Gozan Brown, 212-633-4247, wgozan@aiusa.org.

Amnesty International is a global movement of millions of people demanding human rights for all people - no matter who they are or where they are. We are the world's largest grassroots human rights organization.

(212) 807-8400