A/HRC/4/5
page 19
75.
Other activities were carried out by the national and international, governmental and
non-governmental organizations working in the field of human rights in Burundi. These
activities included briefing the diplomatic corps on concerns relating to justice and impunity in
Burundi, with particular emphasis on the Muyinga case. Meetings have so far taken place with
the ambassadors of France, Belgium, the European Union and the Holy See with the view to
defining a common strategy to address Government obligations to respect due process, the
independence of the judiciary and ensure prosecution of human rights violators.
76.
Training sessions for law enforcement agents countrywide are continuing, with a focus
on the legal human rights framework, legal and ethical conduct, crime prevention and detection,
human rights investigations and protection of vulnerable groups. The same training sessions
were conducted for tribunal de grande instance and prosecution magistrates, police
commissioners and prison directors. In addition specific training has also been conducted on
gender-based violence and its impact on development.
77.
The human rights section of BINUB organized seven open debate sessions with
representatives of the media, members of the civil society, administrative officials and members
of the judiciary during the reporting period. Tools to assist creating human rights awareness
were produced to disseminate the human rights language in Burundi, including a booklet in
Kirundi illustrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a comic book illustrating the
human rights situation of the Burundian woman.
IV. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
To the Government of Burundi
78.
The independent expert expresses concern about the threats against the families of
the victims of the Muyinga massacre and deplores the failure to prosecute individuals
implicated in the disappearance and summary execution of suspected FNL members held
in military custody in the province of Muyinga between May and August 2006.
79.
The independent expert commends the Government of Burundi for creating a
judicial commission to look into this matter and recommends that the Government
implement the findings of this commission and ensure that those responsible are
sanctioned.
80.
The independent expert welcomes the decision made by the Supreme Court of
Burundi to release five detainees accused of preparing a coup against the Government
of Burundi. The independent expert expresses concern at the condemnation of two of them
and urges the judiciary to complete the preparation of the record of the trial speedily so
that those convicted can file their appeal.
81.
The independent expert urges the Government of Burundi to speed up the process
of establishing the transitional justice mechanism in fulfilment of its international
undertakings to this end.
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