BUBANZA, March 28th (ABP) – Synergistic work between the CNIDH, partners and other players remains essential if respect for human rights is to be effective and a reality, it was learnt from the quarterly meeting of players and partners working in the field of human rights, which was held by the CNIDH on Tuesday 25 March in the capital of Bubanza province (north-west Burundi).
According to Jean Paul Kirimitumye, head of the CNIDH’s western branch, a number of irregularities affecting human rights were noted during that quarter, including delays in forwarding cases to the public prosecutor’s office due to a lack of means of transport, the failure to separate minors from adults due to insufficient cell space, and a large number of detainees, detention for civil debts qualified as breach of trust, some cases of detention of minors, exceeding the time limits for police custody, interference by politicians in the handling of cases, cases of detention in handcuffs, insufficient number of women OPJs, corruption and others.
However, as far as the protection of human rights is concerned, the PJ deputy commissioner at the Bubanza provincial police station, Col Emmanuel Barungura, points out that the OPJs face a number of challenges, citing in particular the lack of refresher training in the face of changes and the use of legal texts. He also spoke of the remoteness of police stations, and the inadequacy of communication and travel facilities, which delay the sending of cases to the public prosecutor’s office. Other challenges raised were the influence of political contexts, detention facilities unsuitable for human health, victims of human rights violations who dare not denounce the perpetrators and prefer to flee, and certain corrupt players in the criminal justice system.
The CNIDH’s representative at the meeting, commissioner Chantal Niyonkuru, called for everyone to get involved so that respect for human rights becomes a reality in Burundi.
Some participants proposed the establishment of a framework for permanent collaboration between the CNIDH, partners and other actors, for the prevention of human rights violations.