BNUB: Press Release

30 Jul 2012

BNUB: Press Release

Bujumbura, 27 July 2012 – The United Nations Office in Burundi (BNUB) on Tuesday 24 July 2012 learned that Faustin Ndikumana, president of the NGO Parole et Actions pour le Réveil des Consciences et l'Evolution des Mentalités (PARCEM), has been given a five-year jail sentence and a fine of 500,000 Burundian francs by the anti-corruption corruption Court, as part of his judgement for "false statements" in relation to the Minister of Justice, Pacal Barandagiye's complaint.

BNUB was also informed that the same Court has ordered the NGO PARCEM to pay a fine of 5.000.000 Fbu and jointly with Faustin Ndikumana an additional fine of 10.000.000 Fbu as damages to the complanant.

BNUB recognizes the responsibility for every citizen and every organization to fully respect the Law. Nevertheless, BNUB notes with concern the severity of the anti-corruption Court sentence.

BNUB wishes to underscore importance of the role civil society in promoting the Rule of Law and the need for the institutions of the Republic of Burundi to create an environment conducive for civil society organizations to freely undertake their activities and to contribute to efforts to moral rectitude in public life.

BNUB encourages Burundian judicial authorities to try to exercise their noble functions in a reassuring manner to ensure the administration of a credible justice and contribute with other national actors to the emergence of laws and practices that strongly contribute to the fight against corruption in Burundi.