Former President Jean-Claude Duvalier and his family not having made appeal against the decision of the Federal Administrative Court (TAF) which confirmed the blocking of its assets in Switzerland neither challenged the request for confiscation of property that was filed in April 2011 by the Federal Department of Finance (FDF), the way is now open for the restitution procedure to Haiti of the assets of former President. End of 2010, assets frozen in Switzerland amounted to more than 5 million francs. (± 5.5 million U.S. dollars).

According to the judges of the TAF, the former president of Haiti Jean-Claude Duvalier and his entourage have not demonstrated that the increase of their wealth was not in connection with the exercise of their public service. The requirements to admit the illicit origin of the funds are therefore fulfilled.

This judgment puts an end to long process initiated in 1986 by the Haitian authorities who had asked Switzerland to freeze the assets of former President shortly after the beginning of his exile in France. Since then, funds have been permanently frozen, either as part of international assistance in criminal matters, or by decision of the Federal Council.

Various mechanisms are provided for a quick refund of this amount and to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. The assets of former President JC Duvalier will be used to improve the living conditions of the Haitian population, strengthening the rule of law and the fight against impunity.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2864-haiti-switzerland-duvalier-would-consider-contesting-the-action-of-the-fdf.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2858-haiti-switzerland-fdf-initiates-forfeiture-of-frozen-duvalier-assets.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2257-haiti-duvalier-switzerland-and-the-illicit-funds-of-baby-doc.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-376-haiti-politique-fonds-de-duvalier-la-loi-suisse-est-adoptee.html (in french)

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-305-haiti-justice-haiti-va-t-il-enfin-recuperer-l-argent-de-bebe-doc.html (in french)

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-131-haiti-suisse-restitution-des-fonds-de-duvalier-prochainement.html (in french)

S/ HaitiLibre