from the Introduction:
"The Report is a combination of all those Reports which should have been submitted in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008. It was prepared at a time when Burundi was entering a second phase of power management, stemming from the democratic elections organized in conformity with the post transition Constitution.
The contents of this Report are therefore divided into 3 main parts. The first part introduces the physical, social, economic and political situation of the country as well as the normative and institutional human rights framework. The second part throws light on the comments and observations relative to the Initial Report presented by the Government of Burundi. Finally the third part provides information on the different stages of implementation of the contents of each Article of the Charter.
The results indicated within the present document outline the considerable progress made in relation to all the obligations expressed in the different Articles of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and in particular in relation to the socio-security situation experienced by the country for more than a decade."
Conclusion:
"The unreserved adoption of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights by Burundi is evidence of the national will to improve the general living conditions of its population. It is possible to appreciate, through the content of this Report, the great progress achieved despite the difficult socio-political conditions in which numerous projects and programmes have been carried out during more than 13 years of war. These circumstances somehow explain the fact that this Report was produced rather late in relation to the recommendations.
This Report provides an overview of the country’s situation concerning the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms such as the right to dignity, to security, to a fair trial, the right to employment and to a fair salary, the right to the social protection of workers, to good health, to a clean environment and to housing, to landownership, to education at all levels and to the effective participation in cultural activities as well as the freedom of opinion and of expression.
In relation to the contents of each Article as well as to the milestones already crossed it can be asserted that the country has embarked on numerous encouraging initiatives. The drafting period of this Report is decisive for the future implementation of the challenges that remain for the Charter. In effect, it corresponds at the political level to an important moment in the life of this country. It marks the end of the elections which could decide on the democratic future of the country for the next 5 years. In particular they will decide on the choice of the national socio-economic and cultural programme."
