Will the Burundian people finally get justice?
The National Independent Commission on Human Rights (NICHR) has finally been established in Burundi. The seven Commissioners have been elected by the National Assembly on 19 May 2011. The Commission, headed by a religious personality, will investigate various human rights violations in Burundi. The recent upsurge of human rights violations in the country only adds to the NICHR’s already massive task.
By Marie-Claire Ndikumana, Bujumbura
“Since May 2010, there is a manhunt in our neighbourhood”, says Jeannette Nimpagaritse, mother of two and resident of Kanyosha. The threats and violence she experienced in the past year have scared her for life.
“Anyone who is not a member of the ruling CNDD-FDD party (Conseil National pour la Défense de la Démocratie – Forces pour la Défense de la Démocratie) is targeted by the violence. Before the elections, everything was so quiet. Political parties coexisted peacefully and there was no sign of violence. But things changed when the ruling party won the local elections”, recalls Jeannette with a firm and determined look.
Threats and killings
According to Jeannette, it all started a few days before the local elections in 2010. “Members of the CNDD-FDD started intimidating the populations into voting for the ruling party”, she says. On 24 May 2010, the ruling party’s victory was announced on radio stations across the country. Opposition parties then decided to boycott the electoral process as a whole. Jeannette recounts: “My husband is an ex-soldier of the FNL (Forces Nationales de Libération), a former Hutu rebel group and political party since 2009. He was threatened during the elections. Some of his friends have been killed and others are still detained simply because they are FNL members.
Today, the situation is deteriorating; we are restless, constantly fearing for our lives. My husband fled. In March, Imbonerakure (youth CNDD-FDD militia) came to my bistro and threatened to kill me because my husband was an FNL member. I didn’t think much of it, but the threat was a serious one. They killed my child on 18 May!”
Unanswered questions
Jeannette suddenly burst into tears and her voice started trembling. This mother in pain wonders: “Why kill a four-year-old child because of its parents’ political affiliation? Will there ever be justice in this country? Am I not a Burundian citizen? What should I do, leave the country?” Her questions remain unanswered.
The day her son was killed, Jeannette lost all hope in an independent judicial process. Indeed, after the election of two of the seven Commissioners of the future NICHR, the National Assembly session was interrupted and adjourned.
Fears and confusion
Certain irregularities have been reported in the process and some Members of Parliament (MP) are awaiting the return of Brother Emmanuel Ntakarutimana, the man they want to the lead Commission. Others a fault in the secret list of MPs. Apparently the list only contained two names of women, whereas Article 7 of the law governing the NICHR requires three of the seven personalities to be women.
The remaining five Commissioners were only elected the following day. The leadership of the NICHR was entrusted to two religious personalities and a women rights activist.
Doubts and submission
The election certainly gave rise to some doubts about the NICHR. FORSC (Forum pour le Renforcement de la Société Civile) General Representative, Pacifique Nininahazwe, praises the selection process but deplores the religious leadership. It might, according to him, lead to disagreements in the resolution of certain issues.
Janvier Ndikuriyo, member of opposition parti Sahwanya-Frodebu (part of the coalition Alliance Democratique pour le Changement or ADC-Ikibiri), is not convinced of the NICHR’s efficiency: “Will it be able to successfully investigate the political violence of 2010?”
Meanwhile, Jeannette, who lost a child and still awaits the return of her husband, seems to have given up all hope. Only one thing matters to her: “Justice or not, I want to be left alone!”