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Sep 4 9:00 PM

Soledad O'Brien interviews ex-Haitian dictator 'Baby Doc'

America Tonight

Update May 29, 2014

Haiti is still struggling to recover from the effects of its catastrophic 2010 earthquake, but it’s also grappling with the presence of Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier, a former dictator who returned from exile in 2011.

Special Correspondent Soledad O'Brien caught up with the elusive former president, who faces corruption and human rights charges and is trying to access about $6 million frozen in a Swiss bank account. In February, a Haitian appellate court reversed a January 2012 ruling that Duvalier could not stand trial for crimes against humanity under international law because of an expired statute of limitations.

O'Brien also spoke with Robert Duval, who was a political prisoner during Duvalier’s rule.

Learn more about both men in this slideshow, and check out more pictures from O'Brien's latest reporting trip to Haiti.

“I counted 20 of them -- died in this cell while I was there – in my hands,” Robert Duval said of his eight months in Haiti's notorious Fort Dimanche prison during the reign of dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier. In a 13-foot by 14-foot cell, “you got another 20 to 30 to 40 people, depending how many people died that week.” Duval said he wasn’t particularly politically active, saying he was jailed after he was questioned by authorities and mentioned that he had gone to college in Canada.
“I counted 20 of them -- died in this cell while I was there – in my hands,” Robert Duval said of his eight months in Haiti's notorious Fort Dimanche prison during the reign of dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier. In a 13-foot by 14-foot cell, “you got another 20 to 30 to 40 people, depending how many people died that week.” Duval said he wasn’t particularly politically active, saying he was jailed after he was questioned by authorities and mentioned that he had gone to college in Canada.
Duval says he only is alive because American President Jimmy Carter dispatched Ambassador Andrew Young to Haiti in the late 1970s with a list of 13 people he wanted freed from prison. “They asked for 13, there was only three alive and I was one of them,” he said. What remains of Fort Dimanche's prison complex is a crumbling testament to this brutal time in Haiti’s history. When he was released, Duval weighed just 90 pounds.
Duval says he only is alive because American President Jimmy Carter dispatched Ambassador Andrew Young to Haiti in the late 1970s with a list of 13 people he wanted freed from prison. “They asked for 13, there was only three alive and I was one of them,” he said. What remains of Fort Dimanche's prison complex is a crumbling testament to this brutal time in Haiti’s history. When he was released, Duval weighed just 90 pounds.
Among other horrors he witnessed in prison, Duval carries with him the memory of a friend who died in his arms in their cell. Those memories come back all the time, he said. Duval said testifying against Duvalier in court was a victory of sorts. "I'm just trying to find closure, you know. I still can't find closure ... maybe never. I don't know."
Among other horrors he witnessed in prison, Duval carries with him the memory of a friend who died in his arms in their cell. Those memories come back all the time, he said. Duval said testifying against Duvalier in court was a victory of sorts. "I'm just trying to find closure, you know. I still can't find closure ... maybe never. I don't know."
Since leaving prison, Duval has dedicated his life to building a soccer field and a soccer program for kids who live in Haiti's slums. The program has expanded to provide more than 2,000 children with food and sports equipment, mostly through donations.
Since leaving prison, Duval has dedicated his life to building a soccer field and a soccer program for kids who live in Haiti's slums. The program has expanded to provide more than 2,000 children with food and sports equipment, mostly through donations.
Jean-Claude Duvalier, known as "Baby Doc," took over as Haiti’s dictator at age 19 when his father "Papa Doc" died. The family dynasty, known for brutality and corruption, lasted for three decades and ended when "Baby Doc" was overthrown in 1986 and went into exile in France. Duvalier returned to Haiti in 2011, a year after a devastating earthquake struck, saying he wanted to help the country. Here, he meets Soledad O’Brien at a restaurant in Port-au-Prince with just his lawyer by his side.
Jean-Claude Duvalier, known as "Baby Doc," took over as Haiti’s dictator at age 19 when his father "Papa Doc" died. The family dynasty, known for brutality and corruption, lasted for three decades and ended when "Baby Doc" was overthrown in 1986 and went into exile in France. Duvalier returned to Haiti in 2011, a year after a devastating earthquake struck, saying he wanted to help the country. Here, he meets Soledad O’Brien at a restaurant in Port-au-Prince with just his lawyer by his side. America Tonight
Duvalier, now 62, was later charged with corruption and embezzlement. Allegations of murders, torture and disappearances were dropped because a court ruled that the statute of limitations had run out. However, an appeals court is expected to decide this fall whether to overturn that ruling and proceed with a charge of a human rights violation.
Duvalier, now 62, was later charged with corruption and embezzlement. Allegations of murders, torture and disappearances were dropped because a court ruled that the statute of limitations had run out. However, an appeals court is expected to decide this fall whether to overturn that ruling and proceed with a charge of a human rights violation.
Duvalier says Haiti is in worse shape compared to when he ran it. “We were called the ‘Pearl of the Antilles,’” he said. “There was security. People worked. You could walk around Port-au-Prince and anywhere else without being assaulted.” His lawyer, Reynold Georges (center), said Duvalier returned to help Haiti, but prosecutors think he needs money despite leaving Haiti with $400 million to $900 million. Duvalier is seeking access to $6 million frozen in a Swiss bank account.
Duvalier says Haiti is in worse shape compared to when he ran it. “We were called the ‘Pearl of the Antilles,’” he said. “There was security. People worked. You could walk around Port-au-Prince and anywhere else without being assaulted.” His lawyer, Reynold Georges (center), said Duvalier returned to help Haiti, but prosecutors think he needs money despite leaving Haiti with $400 million to $900 million. Duvalier is seeking access to $6 million frozen in a Swiss bank account.

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