Cross-posted from The Global Sociology Blog. My post, my views.
Via Le Nouvel Observateur, this is a welcome, albeit belated, development. Switzerland will return approximately $12 million, which is only a fraction of all the money that Jean-Claude Duvalier and his family embezzled from their country, Haiti. Duvalier has been enjoying a nice retirement on the French Riviera since he went into exile in 1986 (life must be hard there, compared to the chaos he left behind).
The funds that Switzerland will return to Haiti were placed in Swiss banks before Duvalier and his entourage left the country. They have the remaining three months to contest the restitution. Haitian authorities estimate that Duvalier embezzled more than $100 million, mostly through stealing profits from state enterprises that were supposed to go to funding social programs. Instead, the money would find its way to Swiss bank accounts.
Duvalier no longer has access to the money deposited in Switzerland since 2002. Haiti started procedures to get the money back in 1986, but the request was only completed last May.
The best source on the history of violence in Haiti is the Encyclopdia of Mass Violence. Of course, the Duvalier regime (1957-1986), in particular under Jean-Claude Duvalier – “Baby Doc” – was a brutal and murderous dictatorship, following in his father’s – Francois Duvalier, “Papa Doc” – footsteps. Papa Doc is the one who created the infamous Tontons Macoutes.
Political and economic stability have not yet been established in Haiti and it would be nice if the returned funds were used for the collective good of a population that badly needs it.