The delegation of the African Commission, composed of Julienne Ondziel-Gnelenga, Vice Chair and Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, and Robert Kotchani, Legal Secretariat of this Commission was mandated to:
- Popularize the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights to NGOs, associations of youth and women, members of the judiciary, security forces, religious leaders and other stakeholders.
- Promote human rights in general and women's rights in particular by raising awareness among different stakeholders on the mandate of the Commission through meetings with intellectuals, trade unionists and members of human rights associations for the establishment of partnership on the basis of consultations or exchange of information;
- Gather first hand information on the situation of human rights with the Government, NGOs, IGOs, UN agencies, political parties, religious leaders, civil society, in short, anyone interested.
- Collect testimony from victims of human rights violations.
- Visit some places to assess the situation of human rights, including health centres and places of detention camps for returnees, & places and groups, refugee camps, particularly those located in Tanzania.
- Draw the attention of authorities on the compliance induced by the provisions of Articles 1 and 62 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples in particular, regarding the submission of periodic reports to the African Commission on Human Human and Peoples' Rights.
- Urge the Government to expedite the ratification of the Protocol establishing the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights and that of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
- Sensitize the Government on the development and upcoming adoption of the draft Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa.
Recommendations
The Burundian government should:
- Dismantle, immediately, the regroupment camps in Bujumbura Rural and elsewhere and ensure the reintegration of people into their hills of origin or in secure and viable locations;
- Make efforts to improve the situation of human rights in general and the condition of prisoners in particular.
- Pursue legislative reforms started and ensure an effective implementation of laws to promote and respect human rights;
- Ensure greater involvement of civil society and especially the youth and women in the Arusha negotiations and as in the implementation of agreements that will occur;
The African Commission should:
- Make an urgent appeal to the OAU and the international community to help and assist Burundi in the decommissioning of the regroupment camps;
- Request the OAU to assist Burundi in the peace efforts and reconciliation;
- Request the OAU to support Burundi in the process of reconstruction and recovery activities in all sectors of society to improve the living conditions of the people;
- Request the OAU to urge the states in the sub-region to contribute positively to peace building in their respective countries.
- Request the OAU to urge the rebels to stop attacks against civilians and to voice their demands by participating in negotiations.
