Sensitization Visit to the Republic of Burundi

21-23 May 2012

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights is undertaking a sensitization visit to the Republic of Burundi from 21 to 23 May 2012. The aim of the visit is to raise public awareness and support of the Burundian authorities to help the African Court achieve its mandate.

The African Court’s delegation visiting Burundi is led by Honorable Justice Gérard NIYUNGEKO, President of the Court and also comprises Honorable Justice Modibo Tounty GUINDO and Sylvain ORE, Judges of the Court, and other staff of the Court’s Registry.

During the visit, the Court’s delegation will meet and hold discussions with a number of persons involved in human rights issues in Burundi, in particular Government officials notably the President of the Republic, the First Vice-President, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, the Minister of Human Rights, the Speaker of the Parliament and the President of the Senate.

The Court will also make a courtesy call on the President of the Constitutional Court, the President of the Supreme Court, the Chief of the National Independent Commission on Human Rights, the Ombudsman, and any other institution/organization that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may find necessary to ensure success of the visit.

In addition, the Court is, in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of   Burundi and the Burundian Bar Association, organizing a sensitization seminar for Human Rights Organizations on 22 May 2012 at the Source du Nil Hotel, in Bujumbura.

The seminar will be opened by a high ranking personality from the Government of Burundi who will be the Guest of Honor. The President of the Burundian Bar Association will deliver a speech on behalf of the Civil Society. The President of the African Court, Honorable Justice Gérard Niyungeko, will make a presentation on the Court and other members of the delegation will provide any other information and discuss with the participants on their respective roles in ensuring effective human rights protection in Africa. The seminar will be attended by participants from the Government, the Judiciary, the Burundian Civil Society and other organizations involved in human rights work in Burundi. The African Court will discuss with the participants.

The paramount objective of the Court’s visit to Burundi is to enhance human rights protection in Burundi and discuss with the Burundian High ranking political authorities on possibilities for the Government to make the Declaration enabling Burundian individuals and NGOs to bring their cases directly before the African Court. Otherwise the African Court would have no jurisdiction to hear those individuals and NGOs. The second objective is to sensitize people about the Court, its functions and the procedures before it as well as raise awareness about the Court and its role in ensuring protection of human rights in Africa.

Burundi is the eleventh (11th) country where the Court’s promotional activities are undertaken. The previous countries in which the Court held sensitization activities were Tanzania, Malawi, Burkina Faso, Mali, Uganda, Mozambique, Ghana, Gabon, South Africa and Nigeria. Similar visits will, in future, be made to other countries on the continent.