Burundi inaugurates Independent National Human Rights Commissioners

9 Jun 2011

Burundi inaugurates Independent National Human Rights Commissioners

Bujumbura, June 8, 2011_The seven members of Burundi's newly-established Independent National Human Rights Commission (CNIDH), sworn in Tuesday June 7, 2011 before President Pierre Nkurunziza, have vowed to fulfill their mandate 'in complete independence and impartiality'.

The new members also promised to show 'total devotion to the protection and promotion of human rights,' sources close to the Kigobe Congress Palace, the headquarters of the Burundian Parliament.

Holding in one hand the national flag and in the other that of national unity they vowed, one by one, 'to never let themselves be guided by any partisan interests' and to 'entirely devote themselves to the protection and promotion of human rights, in strict compliance with the Constitution of the Republic of Burundi, the charter of national unity and other laws in force.'

The establishment of the Independent National Human Rights Commission in Burundi was hailed by the UN and, more recently, by the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Steven Vanackere, during his visit to Bujumbura.