The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CVR) will soon begin the process of analyzing, classifying and defining the alleged perpetrators’ crimes. Some people fear there may not be enough clarifications.
Jean Louis Nahimana: There is a law that provides for sanctions against people who may refuse to cooperate
Sylvestre Ntibantunganya, the former President of the Republic of Burundi, says CVR will have difficulties to know the truth about what has happened in this country since 1987 till now. “Those who know the truth have responsibilities in the government institutions, political parties, civil society organizations, religious denominations, the media…,” he says.
Ntibantunganya says this is a big challenge as there is no political will to unveil the realities. “This is a major barrier to the work of CVR”.
Jean Louis Nahimana, CVR Chairman says the law is clear about CVR activities. Whoever will be summoned has to collaborate. “Immunity is not a hindrance to the work of the commission. Even people who enjoy immunity because of their special status must agree to cooperate with the commission as stipulated by the law”.
He says there is a law that provides for sanctions against people who may refuse to cooperate even though their immunity is guaranteed.
Nahimana says the commission has to seek from the top of the society to its low level. “The commission has to look into who took which decision, in what circumstance, why and how it was taken and the consequences that followed”.
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