BURUNDI

A first step towards fighting impunity?

Boniface Ntikarahera worked as a night watchman at a hospital in Bujumbura. In 2010, he was violently beaten by security agents presumably acting upon orders of the city's former Mayor. He fell unconscious only to awake in a police cell, where he was detained for several days in abysmal conditions.

Given the passive attitude of the judicial authorities, TRIAL lodged a complaint on his behalf before the UN Committee Against Torture. In May 2014, the UN body condemned Burundi and requested that the authorities launch an inquiry in order to penalize the perpetrators and compensate the victim.

The case finally came full circle, landing squarely before Burundi’s authorities. Boniface Ntikarahera was finally heard by the Court and a medical evaluation was carried out to establish the extent of the torture. The former Mayor was also cross-examined in Court and witnesses will soon follow suit.

In spite of the heightened tensions caused by the forthcoming elections, advances in this investigation have been significant in the fight against impunity in Burundi. 

Although justice and reparation still need to be served, Boniface Ntikarahera’s case represents an encouraging step in the right direction.

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

Justice can no longer wait

During their recent press conference in Sarajevo, TRIAL, MyRight and Justice Network joined forces to remind Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) of its international obligations. The NGO's message was clear: BiH must implement the recom-mendations of the UN and put an end to the state of impunity in the aftermath of the conflict.

The UN made these recommendations a few months ago, during the 2nd cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of BiH. On this occasion, it admonished the country to shed light on the numerous violations committed during the conflict and to guarantee that victims would have real access to justice.

The UN had already made these recommendations in 2010. However, four years and a cycle later, the situation is still dire: BiH has done nothing to counter its chilling legacy of war and the victims - including women subjected to sexual violence - have been silenced and marginalized.

BH is expected to make public this month which UPR recommendations it has accepted. TRIAL is closely monitoring the process  and will continue to advocate in favour of conflict-era victims in the country.