2023-12-19 15:07:59
President Evariste Ndayishimiye released a statement on the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For him, the protection of human rights remains the battleground for Burundi. Some politicians and activists assure that there is progress, others respond that the situation remains worrying.
“I am all the more happy that this celebration comes at a time when Burundi is striving for the well-being of all without any discrimination”rejoices President Evariste Ndayishimiye.
He recognizes that Burundians have suffered and endured so much misfortune, massacres and massive violations of human rights, following the effects of colonization and dictatorial regimes.
For him, the only valid path today is the healing of souls and minds to better embrace the path of development.
And to do this, he said, the government of Burundi firmly commits the Burundian people by establishing trust between leaders and citizens.
And this, he emphasizes, is noticeable through the establishment of an inclusive, responsible and hardworking government encouraging executives to serve their people as good fathers and fight against all kinds of injustice.
“The Burundians have already understood that the path of divisions and discrimination only generates misfortune and desolation and have turned towards a radiant future where the well-being of citizens is our priority”notes the Burundian number one in his statement.
The rule of law above all
“My country has made good governance and the protection of human rights its main focus. We are building a State based on impartial, efficient justice that respects human rights and is concerned with equity.”said President Ndayishimiye.
And to announce that Burundi provides all necessary measures to prevent impunity for any violation of human rights in its Constitution and its penal code in accordance with international conventions and pacts on human rights.
Furthermore, he wishes to recall, the recent election of Burundi to the Human Rights Council testifies to the commitment and confidence gained from the States which supported Burundi.
The President of the Republic indicates that Burundi dissociates itself from politically motivated solutions, targeting particular States as well as the implementation of special mechanisms in a selective and unilateral manner without any form of constructive dialogue with the countries concerned.
“My country calls for the strengthening of human rights by adhering to the fundamental principles of universality, transparency, impartiality, non-selectivity and objectivity”he concludes.
Reactions
Vianney Ndayisaba: “The situation remains worrying”
“This anniversary comes at a time when the human rights situation in Burundi remains worrying. The prisons are still full of people imprisoned without records, imprisoned even though they have been released or detained on the basis of minor offenses or even on the basis of civil debt.deplores Vianney Ndayisaba, national coordinator of the Association to Fight Unemployment and Torture (Aluchoto).
And he added that there is still violence against girls and women, violations of children’s rights, and cases of impunity.
“Despite these multiple calls and advice to magistrates to read and speak the law, we note that certain magistrates turn a deaf ear and do not apply the law correctly”laments this activist in the fight against torture.
He recommends the establishment of good governance in the justice sector to put an end to cases of corruption which plague this sector.
Mr. Ndayisaba also proposes the establishment of an independent commission made up of representatives of the Ministry of Justice, Parliament, the Cnidh and civil society to closely monitor detention conditions.
“They will work in synergy by making regular visits to prisons while giving them the power to release any detainee in an irregular situation”he suggests.
Hamza Venant Burikukiye: “Progress to be encouraged”
“Even if everything is not rosy, the human rights situation in Burundi is experiencing progress to be encouraged”Hamza Venant Burikukiye, legal representative of the Integral Platform of Civil Society (Pisc-Burundi) and the Collective of Associations of People Infected and Affected by HIV/AIDS (Capes +).
Certainly, he recognizes, cases of violence against women are reported here and there. But, he wants to reassure, there is nothing to be alarmed about. Burundi is not an earthly paradise. “All cases are punished and awareness-raising to discourage these dirty practices is carried out regularly in all sectors of national life”he indicates.
As for overcrowding in prisons, this civil society activist rejoices, the government has already demonstrated its willingness to relieve prison congestion through measures to discourage unfair imprisonment.
For Mr. Burikukiye, the Cnidh must strengthen its action in raising awareness and training on human rights for different segments of the population.
“Civil society actors working in the human rights sector should be supported in their work. They must also work in compliance with the laws and institutions of the country in order to be complementary and cooperative and not be opponents of the government.he recommends.
Gérard Hakizimana: “Protection efforts are remarkable”
“We welcome the efforts made by the government to ensure respect for human rights”indicates Gérard Hakizimana, president and legal representative of the Force to Fight Nepotism and Favoritism in Burundi (Folucon. F)
He notes significant progress while emphasizing the existence of national institutions which are responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights, including the institution of the Ombudsman and the Cnidh.
Asked about the various forms of violence against women, Mr. Hakizimana does not deny them, while adding that this violence is also committed elsewhere. But, for him, we must determine the causes and put forward the prevention of this violence.
He deplores prison overcrowding while welcoming the measures taken to relieve prison congestion, including the presidential pardon. And to inform: “Inspection teams on detention conditions are at work and we hope that some detainees will soon be released. »
Kefa Nibizi: “Everything is not rosy”
“If we compare the years 2015-2020 to today, we notice that there is a certain progress in terms of respect for human rights in Burundi”says Kefa Nibizi, president of the Council for Democracy and Sustainable Development in Burundi (Codebu).
However, he wishes to qualify, there remain cases of arbitrary and abusive imprisonment. And to talk about people who are acquitted but who remain in prison. People who are imprisoned without a record and people who spend a lot of time in prison without ever appearing before a judge.
There is also a prison population that exceeds the capacity of prisons which, he deplores, is in some way a violation of human rights.
Furthermore, he adds, certain international organizations still report cases of torture, untraceable people who are suspected of forced disappearance. “All these cases tarnish the image of the country in terms of respect for human rights”laments this politician.
Mr. Nibizi also highlights a restriction of the political space which constitutes a brake for the opposition parties in the exercise of their activities.
In addition, Kefa Nibizi observes cases of assassination and violence against women but also men. He also deplores cases of impunity with selective justice which treats litigants based on their political affiliation or other forms of influence. “These are attacks on the positive development of respect for human rights that we were experiencing”he regrets.
He recommends avoiding impunity by considering everyone equal before the law and the courts. He also calls for the opening of the political space so that freedom of expression is guaranteed for everyone.
For cases of forced disappearance, he recommends, the government should invest in identifying the causes and the alleged perpetrators and that the latter be punished.
Gabriel Banzawitonde: “Let the step already taken not go back”
Gabriel Banzawitonde, president of the Apdr party, attests that there has been an improvement in respect for human rights in Burundi: “Previously, we observed a lot of people circulating with Motorolas and pistols, intimidating the population with the words “Kivuyehejuru” (it comes from above). Today, we can clearly say that things have changed. »
However, he points out, he still observes magistrates who misbehave by demanding bribes from litigants or who refuse to release prisoners who have served their sentences or who have benefited from presidential pardons.
It recommends to the authorized authorities to release political prisoners and to guarantee freedom of expression for all citizens.
Par Felix Haburiakira (Our Country)
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