BUJUMBURA, March 28th (ABP) – The Chairman of the Independent National Commission for Human Rights (CNIDH), Dr Sixte Vigny Nimuraba, held a press conference in Bujumbura, on Wednesday 26 March 2025, to comment on the Commission’s continued “A status”, according to local sources.
Dr Nimuraba announced that the CNIDH had retained its A-status accreditation, following a review of its independence, its compliance with the Paris Principles and its capacity to investigate human rights violations in Burundi. The review was carried out by the accreditation sub-committee of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) on 25 March 2025.
He pointed out that that re-accreditation was tangible proof and an important symbol of the efforts made by the CNIDH to protect and promote human rights in Burundi.
In that respect, the CNIDH warmly thanks the government of Burundi, which has spared no effort to support the CNIDH throughout the review process, providing it with the material and financial resources it needs to carry out its tasks. She also praised the work of the NGOs, agencies present in Burundi, civil society, development partners and all state and non-state actors who have spared no effort to ensure the Commission’s unfailing support and enable it to earn the trust of the international community.
Dr Nimuraba also expressed his gratitude to the commissioners and executives in charge of the studies for the teamwork that has enabled the A status to be maintained. He urged them to roll up their sleeves and continue that noble work of “Voice of the voiceless”, transforming silence into speech in order to protect the victims of human rights violence.
It is important to note that the CNIDH sees that review process as a learning opportunity and that it will mobilise the lessons learned from that experience to better accomplish its mission, namely the protection and promotion of human rights, as well as its advisory role to institutions on all human rights issues.
He stated that the CNIDH reiterated its commitment to work in accordance with the law and the fundamental values of the Commission, namely independence, impartiality, objectivity, integrity, fairness and professionalism.
Finally, he called on all Burundians to work in synergy to consolidate the rule of law, while respecting human rights, which are the foundation of democracy, peace, social cohesion and sustainable development.