The death of former Haiti president Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier has stirred strong emotions locally and in Haiti.
After learning of Duvalier’s death, many Haitians took to social media and radio to recount the horrors and brutality suffered under his regime.
Now, some are asking the Haitian government to deny Duvalier an official state funeral, which is customary for past Haitian presidents.
A Change.org petition addressed to Haiti President Michel Martelly states Duvalier is not worthy of such an honor.
The petition in French, Creole and English reads in part:
The death of Jean Claude Duvalier is the death of a tyrant, of an oppressor of the Haitian people. However, this death does not imply the end of Duvalierism nor does it erase the scars of this regime on our country. The demise of the tyrant has to revive our obligation to remember.
The state funeral, according to the petition, would be "the ultimate insult" to the Haitian people.
It is unclear if the Haitian government will have a state funeral for the former dictator or a more low key affair.
