Biodun@bbcnews.com

17 January 2011 Last updated at 11:51 ET

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Duvalier arriving at Port-au-Prince airport

by Suzanne Gould, BBC News Analyst, for the BBC's Biodun Iginla

Rebuilding Haiti

Human rights groups have urged the Haitian government to arrest and prosecute former President Jean-Claude Duvalier for abuses committed during his 1971-86 leadership.

Mr Duvalier, 59, also known as "Baby Doc", has just returned to Haiti.

He said he had "come to help" after last year's earthquake, but Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said he should face justice.

It is not clear whether any warrants exist for his arrest.

Mr Duvalier was just 19 when he inherited the title of "president-for-life" from his father, the notorious Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, who had ruled Haiti since 1957.

"Baby Doc" is accused of massive corruption, repression and human rights abuses during his 1971-1986 rule.

Critics allege he embezzled millions of dollars from the impoverished Caribbean nation, a charge he denies.

Like his father, he relied on a brutal private militia known as the "Tontons Macoutes", which controlled Haiti through violence and intimidation.

'Slap in the face'

Human Rights Watch Americas director Jose Miguel Vivanco said Haiti had enough problems without Mr Duvalier.

Jean-Claude 'Baby Doc' Duvalier

Took over presidency aged just 19 when his father, Haiti's authoritarian leader Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, died in 1971
Called himself "president-for-life" and ruled with an iron fist, aided by a brutal private militia known as the Tontons Macoutes
Accused of corruption and human rights abuses that prompted more than 100,000 Haitians to flee the country during his presidency
Ruled for 15 years before outbreak of popular protests led him to flee to France in 1986
Asked Haitian people for forgiveness for "errors" made during his rule in a 2007 radio interview
Returned to Haiti as it was supposed to hold run-off election to choose successor to outgoing President Rene Preval, although vote has been postponed

Baby Doc's return evokes dark past

"Duvalier's return to Haiti should be for one purpose only - to face justice," he said in a statement. "His time to be held accountable is long overdue.

"Duvalier's presence - unless he is immediately arrested - is a slap in the face to a people who have already suffered so much."

Amnesty special adviser Javier Zuniga said Mr Duvalier's abuses amounted to crimes against humanity and Haiti was "under obligation" to prosecute him.

But Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive said Mr Duvalier was free to return home, adding that there was no reason to believe he would destabilise the country which is facing uncertainty after disputed presidential elections.

The reason for his visit is not clear, although a French diplomatic source told AFP news agency that he had a return ticket to France for 20 January.

His return to Haiti came on the day it was supposed to hold the second round of elections to choose a successor to outgoing President Rene Preval.

But the vote has been postponed because of a dispute over which candidates should be on the ballot paper.

Provisional results from the 28 November first round provoked violent demonstrations when they were announced in December, and most observers said there was widespread fraud and intimidation.

Haiti is struggling to recover from the massive earthquake a year ago which killed more than 250,000 people and left the capital, Port-au-Prince, in ruins.

Forgiveness call

In 1986, Mr Duvalier was forced to flee into exile by a popular uprising, as well as diplomatic pressure from the US.

Since then, he has lived in France, although he was never granted formal political asylum. He has also never been prosecuted outside Haiti.

He was once worth tens of millions of dollars, much of which was spent on a luxury lifestyle in the Cote d'Azur and an expensive divorce.

Last year a Swiss court ruled that he should be returned assets worth at least $4.6m (£2.9m), but the Swiss government blocked the release of the money until a law was passed to return it to Haiti.

In a radio interview in 2007, Mr Duvalier asked the Haitian people for forgiveness for "errors" made during his rule.

A small group of Duvalier loyalists have been campaigning to bring him home from exile.

Your comments in reaction to the return of "Baby Doc"

I live in the Cite Soleil area of Port-au-Prince, which is always full of life and activity. When we had the first bout of violence here, even though there was little violence in Cite Soleil itself, the burning tyres throughout the rest of Port-au-Prince were like clots in the arteries of the city, preventing its blood from flowing properly. The roads were empty. There were no taptaps (shared taxis), no markets, nothing in the streets. Life just stopped for a few days, with no-one able to sell even a bit of bread on the street. Haiti doesn't need excitement like this. It needs a slow, steady calm so people can rebuild their lives day by day. I don't want to see the roads turn empty again, just because an old head of state wants to come home. Sabina, Cite Soleil, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

It seems to most Haitian citizens that Baby Doc has finally run out of cash, after his divorce. Most people feel that he has little to offer the country. Yes, there are those Duvalier nostalgics, or reformed Duvalierists, but their base of support now is rather limited. All the people at the airport were probably more curious than exuberant. Although with the current power vacuum, any politician may seem an attractive alternative to the present options. Tobias Cornelius Metzner, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

The constitution does not prevent Mr Duvalier from returning home. A visa is not required for a Haitian national who wants to do so. However, Mr Duvalier has to face the consequences of his crimes. He asked for forgiveness once, but forgiveness walks together with justice. If he accepts the conditions, he is welcome. His return could complicate the already chaotic situation, by adding another issue. I think he is returning to disrupt the work going on here and to try to get back his properties in Haiti. There is another issue. Most of the victims of his regime are old today, and some have already died. I think Haitian people forget too easily. Jean Bertrand Aristide is trying to do the same without justice for the people. There is no progress without justice. Gregory Domond, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

I think that the prime minister made the right decision by allowing Duvalier to return to Haiti without a possible lawsuit. Unfortunately, since the departure of Duvalier, the situation has not really improved in Haiti. This country has been going from one struggle to another. It's true that Duvalier's regime was based on fear and repression. However, what has changed in this country since he left? Now with all of the kidnappings, rapes, murders, and killings going on in Haiti, even under the watch of the UN, I think that the situation has got even worse. In good faith, I think that it's time for the Haitian people to forgive each other and look forward to rebuilding this proud but impoverished nation. Duvalier belongs to the past. Let's move forward. Ronald Charles, Haiti

LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN

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Jean-Claude 'Baby Doc' Duvalier

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