THE Arusha-based East Africa Law Society (EALS), has called upon the International Criminal Court (ICC), to conduct investigations into possible crimes done by the Government of Burundi against its citizens and the enquiry should be done within the jurisdiction of the Court.
Quoting Articles 15 and 54 of the Rome Statute which empower the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to conduct investigations ‘Proprio Motu’ (on the Prosecutor’s own motion) on the basis of information on possible crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court; and citing reports of systematic murders, torture and enforced disappearance of persons since President, Pierre Nkurunziza was announced winner of a disputed Presidential election in July 2015, the letter urges the ICC to ensure that the alleged crimes do not go unpunished.
The letter further notes that despite the government imposing total ban on the media in Burundi, the gruesome pictures of bodies of persons killed and dumped on the streets of the Capital City Bujumbura continue to circulate, as well as noting that the tally of persons killed extra judicially continues to rise as per the information from both national and international organizations operating in Burundi, a situation that has led to thousands of refugees fleeing Burundi into the neighboring countries of Rwanda and Tanzania.
Signed by the EALS President, Mr Nassor Khamis Mohamed and addressed to the Prosecutor of the ICC, with copies to the Attorney General of Burundi, the Secretary General of the EAC Secretariat as well as the Chairperson of African Union Commission, the letter reminds the ICC of its commitment to ensure that the most serious crimes of international concern should not go unpunished.
Looking at the developments in Burundi through the Human Development lens, the EALS letter notes that a potential ICC investigation would be in line with Goal 16 of the recently adopted United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that commits to peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, through enhancing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels with a view of reducing and preventing violence through the promotion of the rule of law.
The East African Law Society, operating from (Arusha), Tanzania is the umbrella regional Bar Association of the legal profession in East Africa.
The dual membership organization brings together six national Law Societies, including the Burundi Bar Association, the Rwanda Bar Association, the Law Society of Kenya, the Tanganyika Law Society, the Uganda Law Society and the Zanzibar Law Society as well as their respective individual membership.
The EALS works to promote the observance of and adherence to the rule of law, democracy and good governance and to enhance the professional knowledge and skills of its membership. The EALS enjoys formal observer status with the East African Community.
/Daily News.
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