4 November 2007
Bujumbura — On 2 November 2007 The Head of State launched activities of a three party committee in charge of conducting popular consultations which will chart the path towards the setup of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and a Special International Tribunal for Burundi to deal with war crimes committed over the three past decades.
These two institutions were provided for in the Arusha Peace deal signed in 2000 in order to enhance impartiality and credibility.
"Knowing the truth of the country's history and setting up a tribunal to prosecute those bearing responsibility for crimes will stop the habit of impunity in our country", stressed the head of state, Pierre Nkurunziza in his opening speech while advising members of the committee not to influence the opinions of the population.
The committee is composed of six persons, Mr Festus Ntanyungu and Ms Françoise Ngendahayo represent the government of Burundi, Ms Hélarie Nibizi and Mr Joseph Ndayizeye represent civil society, and Ismael Diallo and Hanin Pock represent the United Nations.
The appointment of Mr Festus Ntanyungu and Ms Françoise Ngendahayo dates back to August of 2007, but the activities of this commission were delayed as a result of the shortage of financial assets that the government of Burundi has been facing over the past months.
Two years ago The United Nations recommended setting up a non-judicial Truth and Reconciliation commission and a prosecuting special chamber to deal with those accused of bearing responsibility for especially heinous crimes such as genocide and crimes against humanity.
The UN proposed that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission be composed of five commissioners, three international and two national, rather than be made up of 25 members as proposed by the law of Burundi.
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