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Human rights in Burundi

The security situation in Burundi has been tense since the presidential elections in June 2010. The opposition boycotted the results of the election. Violence against women is still alarmingly high. The government makes things very difficult for human rights defenders, their activities often bring them into personal danger.

Members of the opposition are threatened regularly and a number of parties have been forbidden to meet. There is little faith in the legal system. Weapons are easily available and there is a great deal of crime. The number of cases of rape is particularly high, impunity reigns.
 

Activities by Justitia et Pax

Since 2011, Justitia et Pax and local partners are working for:

• International protection for human rights defenders
• Awareness of the local population and local/national government of violence against women;
• Establishing the truth and the importance of doing so for those involved and for the reconciliation process
• A Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a special tribunal must investigate the violent history of Burundi and punish genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. International and national civil society organisations followed the process. The churches in Burundi played an important role in setting up this commission.
• Advocacy with the European Union (EU) to involve local communities in DDR and SSR programmes. This involves disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR)programmes and Security Sector Reform (SSR) programmes. Justitia et Pax has considerable knowledge about the impact these programmes have on local communities. These programmes are frequently initiated and funded by the European Union (EU) and its member states.
• Training of trainers on citizenship and good governance, on justice and reconciliation, and on women’srights and acquiring skills in the area of political lobbying. There is great interest in the Great Lakes area in the methodology developed by Justitia et Pax.
   

Collaboration

Justitia et Pax Netherlands cooperates with

• the national Justice and Peace commission
• local Justice and Peace commissions in eight dioceses
• local organisations Iteka (Ligue Burundaise de Droits de l'Homme), FORSC (Forum pour le Renforcement de la Societé Civile) en RPA (Radio Publique Africaine (RPA).