Le droit d’accès au juge civil au Burundi

Abstract

From an institutional point of view, Burundi's state courts and tribunals have a monopoly on administering civil justice through binding decisions. This work examines from a legal and institutional perspective the extent to which the Burundian legal framework meets the requirements of international guarantees for the effectiveness of access rights to civil courts and tribunals. These guarantees are enshrined, inter alia, in Article 14.1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and in Articles 7.1.a) and 26 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. Beyond the strictly legal approach, the work analyses, from a socio-anthropological perspective, factors which in Burundi influence the effectiveness of the right of access to civil courts and tribunals beyond the quality of the legal infrastructure.

God and COVID-19 in Burundian social media: The political fight for the control of the narrative

“…Burundi was not among the most reactive countries in Africa when the appearance of a new infectious respiratory disease was announced to the world. Before international borders were closed, a period of quarantine was imposed on passengers on arrival in Burundi, and handwashing kits were 'highly recommended' at the entrance of health structures, schools, stadiums, private and public offices, churches, hotels, bars, restaurants and markets (Republic of Burundi et al 2020).5 Among the population, many worried about the health system's capacity to face the pandemic, considering the availability of beds, testing kits and masks (Niyonkuru 2020). The arrival of testing kits and masks sent by the Jack Ma Foundation on 24 March represented a welcome relief for some.6 Nevertheless, Burundi's Ministry of Health had declared on 1 March that 'all the measures were taken to fight Covid-19'.7 Taking additional measures against COVID-19, like bans on mass gatherings, would have represented an acknowledgment of the gravity of the pandemic, which the government did not seem to be disposed towards.…”