Haiti is experiencing what some historians call ‘Duvalierism without Duvalier’.
Some regimes have even been referred to as ‘neo-duvalierists’ because of their alleged practices of human rights violations.
“Duvalier established a totalitarian regime in Haiti,” Haitian historian Georges Michel told Efe.
In his view, for there to be a totalitarian regime, there must be a doctrinal and ideological component launched by Duvalier.
“He was a great intellectual and he used that ability to harm,” Michel said.
DUVALIER, FIERCE DICTATOR
“It is the only totalitarian regime we have had in Haiti’s history. There have been dictatorships, but no totalitarian regimes,” emphasized Michel, for whom the “practice of theft and widespread corruption” is a “legacy” of Duvalier who continues to this day.
April 21 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of the doctor and dictator Duvalier, nicknamed Papa Doc, in Port-au-Prince. He ruled Haiti as president from 1957 to 1964 and as president for life from 1964 until his death in 1971.
Illegal detentions, corruption and political persecution were the hallmarks of his years in power, killing thousands of Haitians and sending many more into exile.
Duvalier created a personal guard to terrorize the population, the terrifying “tonton macoutes” charged with protecting the ruler, persecuting, torturing and murdering his opponents.
AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION
“Any president who arrives, prepares or changes the constitution to extend his mandate,” Auguste D’Méza, a political commentator and university professor, told EFE that he reminded that presidents fulfilling their mandate are as mandated by the constitution. ” special. “
In recent months, there have been numerous demonstrations in Haiti against the referendum planned and promoted for next June by Moise to provide the country with a “more adequate” constitution.
Throughout history, Haiti has changed its Magna Carta 23 times. To stay in power, Duvalier amended the constitution several times until he established that power is hereditary and for life.
For example, in early 1971, he introduced a constitutional amendment that established continuity of power, allowing his 19-year-old son Jean-Claude Duvalier to take over the government upon the death of his father in April of that year. .
Jean-Claude Duvalier preserved his dictatorial heritage until a popular uprising forced him to leave the country and go to France on February 7, 1986.
MYSTICS AS A TOOL OF POWER
One of the “most powerful” elements inherited from Duvalier’s dictatorship is the practice of voodoo ceremonies, Professor D’Méza recalls.
To him, Haitians continue to believe that it is the “luases” (spirits) that lead you to power and that you must use mysticism to stay in power.
“These practices are very prevalent. Duvalier has managed to corrupt and integrate the Masons. So did Michel Martelly and now Jovenel Moise,” he said.
To the professor, “using mysticism is a strong thing,” which is why Papa Doc made people believe he was an immaterial being.
The historian Michel agrees and argues that this is not exclusive to the Duvaliers. “All Haitian heads of state use mysticism in politics,” he said.
While in power, Jean-Claude Duvalier said he wanted to see a new economic class emerge in the country.
The reason was that he was fighting a certain oligarchy, D’Meza recalls. Speeches against the oligarchs. To create a black bourgeoisie, just like an alternative bourgeoisie, that was Jean-Claude’s dream, ”he said.