The Global Justice Clinic signed on to an amicus curae brief authored by the Center for Justice and Accountability  arguing in favor of the prosecution of Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier. The brief was filed on February 21.

The brief–submitted to the Haitian Supreme Court (Cour de Cassation), which is now hearing an appeal challenging the dismissal of charges against the former dictator–argues that Haiti will violate its obligations under international and domestic law if it does not move forward with the prosecution. Some 27 other human rights and anti-torture organizations signed on in support.

The GJC has a long-standing commitment to pursuing justice and human rights in Haiti, and has ongoing projects in the country. It has been closely watching efforts to bring Duvalier to justice ever since his return to Haiti in January 2011.

To learn more about the GJC’s projects in Haiti, click HERE.

To read previous statements by the GJC about bringing Duvalier to justice, click HERE

To read the amicus, click HERE.