Duvalier won't face rights charges

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- A judge ruled former Haitian ruler Jean Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier could be tried for corruption and embezzlement, but not for human rights abuses.

The decision, delivered by Judge Carves Jean, chief investigating prosecutor of Haiti's Supreme Court, drew immediate protests from rights groups as it was submitted for review by Haiti's attorney general, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

If the ruling is upheld, Duvalier won't be prosecuted for crimes such as murder, torture and the disappearance of political opponents allegedly committed under his 15 years of rule that were included the investigation. After a 25-year exile in France, Duvalier returned to Haiti in January 2011 and is living under house arrest.

Human rights groups and alleged victims said the decision would weaken Haiti's already weak judicial system.

"Today's wrongheaded decision, if upheld on appeal, would entrench Haiti's culture of impunity by denying justice for Duvalier's thousands of victims," said Reed Brody, legal counsel for Washington-based Human Rights Watch. "Haiti has an obligation to its people to investigate and prosecute the grave violations of human rights under Duvalier's rule."

Reynold Georges, who represents Duvalier, said he would appeal the decision the exiled dictator be tried on embezzlement and fraud accusations, saying it was "all old business" and that the statute of limitations had expired.

Haitian President Michel Martelly, linked by family to Duvalier, is seen as sympathetic to the former ruler, the Journal reported. Martelly often said he favors reconciliation and has called on Haitians to join together to unite the country.