MONTREALERS WHO SUFFERED UNDER DUVALIER URGED TO REVEAL THE PAST
(Montreal Gazette) - By Sue Montgomery
Many Haitians living in Montreal would rather forget the brutal legacy of Jean-Claude Duvalier, but since the surprise return of the dictator to his native country this year, the diaspora is being encouraged to dig up the past and bring Baby Doc to justice.
Until the end of May, victims of Duvalier and his notorious private militia, the Tonton Macoute, or those who witnessed their abuses, can give their testimony at the International Centre for Comparative Criminology at the Université de Montréal. The statements will then be passed on to the Bureau International des Avocats in Port-au-Prince and the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti.
"It is particularly important for those of us outside the country to speak up because people in Haiti still live in fear and need our support," said Jan Dominique, whose prominent journalist father, Jean L. Dominique, was threatened and beaten for years as he tried to bring an end to the Duvalier rule. He was killed in a hail of bullets in 2000.
The shooters were captured, but Jan and her sister, Nadine, who both fled to Montreal in 2003, have never given up trying to find out who ordered the killing.
Dominique said the majority of Montreal's 100,000-strong Haitian community suffered at the hands of the Duvaliers or saw their relatives suffer.
Only a few have come forward so far. But anyone interested in participating in the project can call 514-343-6111, ext. 3667 or 4864, or email melchiade.manirabona@umontreal.ca.
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