( CNN ) -- The human rights group Amnesty International said Friday that Haitian authorities are launching a probe into alleged crimes against humanity committed during the 15-year rule of former dictator Jean-Claude `` Baby Doc '' Duvalier . Amnesty International researcher Gerardo Ducos gave Haitian authorities 100 documents that it says detail cases of detention without trial , systematic torture , disappearances and extrajudicial killings that took place in Haiti between 1971 and 1986 . Amnesty International as well as Human Rights Watch say that thousands of Haitians suffered grave injustices under Duvalier 's iron-fisted rule . The former strongman stunned the world by returning suddenly to Haiti last Sunday after 25 years in exile in France . In his first public statement since his unexpected return , Duvalier told reporters he wanted to be in Haiti to help with rebuilding the country after last year 's devastating earthquake . He made no mention of any political ambition . `` The desire to participate at your side in this national reconstruction effort is more important than any of the problems I could face . The price to pay is not important . The essential ( thing ) for me is to be with you , '' Duvalier said . He spoke for roughly 10 minutes at a private residence and did not take questions from reporters . Earlier , he was expected to speak at a handful at public locations , but was forced to cancel because the owners of those places did not want him there . Police escorted Duvalier to court Tuesday , where a judge questioned him for hours . He faces charges of corruption and embezzlement on allegations he stole hundreds of millions of dollars from the national treasury . But human rights groups have mounted pressure on Haitian authorities to take Duvalier to court on abuse charges . Ducos said the decision to investigate Duvalier for such abuses is a huge step forward . He said he did not know why Duvalier returned to Haiti but many people have waited many years for an opportunity to prosecute him . `` The state has an obligation to bring him to justice , '' Ducos said . He said he met Thursday with Harycidas Auguste , Haiti 's chief prosecutor , and Minister of Justice Paul Denis , to discuss the need for an investigation . He said he urged Haitian authorities to ensure that abuse survivors -- including those who fled Haiti -- are given a chance to tell their stories . Four Haitians have already filed criminal complaints against Duvalier , Ducos said . Michele Montas , a journalist and former spokeswoman for the U.N. secretary-general , said she endured threats and detention and survived an assassination attempt for her journalism . The staff at her husband 's independent radio station was harassed and the station was shut down during Duvalier 's rule , she said . She was expelled from the country in 1980 and returned only after Duvalier 's ouster . `` We have enough proof , '' she told CNN . `` There are enough people who can testify . And what I will do is go to a public prosecutor , and there is a public prosecutor that could actually accommodate our complaints . '' Amnesty International researchers collected its information mainly through the testimonies of prisoners , many of whose detentions were never officially acknowledged . The testimonies revealed a pattern of abuse , the organization said . Journalist Yvens Paul told Amnesty International that he was detained at the Port-au-Prince airport in 1980 . He said he was taken to prison , where detectives undressed him and beat him . He said his abusers enjoyed seeing the blood gush from his body . They told him he had been arrested because his radio broadcasts were `` subversive . '' Frank Blaise , a 70-year-old agronomist , returned home to Haiti from the United States in June 1983 and was arrested two months later and driven by jeep to the Casernes Dessalines army barracks , which the United Nations says was used by Duvalier to interrogate and detain people suspected of anti-government activity . Blaise told Amnesty International he was arrested for his book on agrarian reform and kept in a dark , damp solitary confinement cell . Amnesty International 's documents tell the experiences of cobblers , taxi drivers , filmmakers , mechanics , distillers and even hairdressers , all of whom , they say , were arrested for anti-government activity . `` Jean-Claude Duvalier was the head of state then , '' Ducos said . `` He shares responsibility for these crimes . He must face justice . '' CNN 's John Zarrella contributed to this report .
NEW : Duvalier breaks his silence and says he returned to Haiti to help . Amnesty handed thousands documents to Haitians authorities . The documents are mainly testimonies of people saying they were arrested and abused . Amnesty International says Haiti is launching a probe into atrocities allegedly committed under Jean-Claude .