CNIDH prepares to face likely violence during 2020 elections

“In many countries, if elections are approaching, human rights violations are committed. We must be sufficiently equipped to deal with the human rights violations that may be committed in the upcoming 2020 elections, “said Dr. Sixte Vigny Nimuraba, chairman of the Independent National Commission for Human Rights.

From left to right, Sixte Vigny Nimuraba, chairman of the Independent National Commission for Human Rights and Bamazi Tchaa, the Representative of the Regional Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

It was on the occasion of the opening of a four-day training workshop organized by CNIDH in collaboration with the Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa to CNIDH commissioners.

Nimuraba says that training will allow them to adopt necessary strategies to combat violence during this crucial election period.

Bamazi Tchaa, the Representative of the Regional Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, who is also a trainer, said that CNIDH intervention is needed regarding the current human rights situation, especially as the 2020 elections are approaching.

He added that this training will be an opportunity for CNIDH commissioners to examine why and how this commission was downgraded from status A to status B.

CNIDH Burundi was created in January 2011. It was accredited in November 2012 to status A which confirms that it fulfilled all conditions of Paris principles. “A strong, independent, credible institution that meets citizens’ needs,” says Bamazi. Its successful mission was slowed down until CNIDH Burundi was demoted to status B in November 2017 as a penalty because it no longer fully met the conditions of the Paris principles.

Regarding the demotion of CNIDH to B status, the chairman of CNIDH says that his primary concern is to satisfy Burundian people. “We have not been appointed to this position to regain status A. Our mission is to promote and defend human rights. If the population appreciates our work, the commission in charge of providing accreditation will promote us to status A,” says Nimuraba.