Tanzania, Uganda Leaders Criticize ICC Probe of Burundi
The leaders of Tanzania and Uganda criticized on Saturday a plan by
the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate alleged human
rights abuses in Burundi.
A statement from the office of Tanzanian President John Magufuli said
the court's decision "compromised efforts" of an East African Community
(EAC) committee "charged with seeking a resolution to the Burundi
conflict."
The committee is led by Uganda President Yoweri Museveni and former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa.
Museveni on Saturday accused the ICC of "interfering in the efforts
of the EAC." He currenty heads the EAC, a regional bloc made up of
Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.
On Friday, Burundi's government said it would not cooperate with the
proposed ICC investigation. The east African nation recently withdrew
from the ICC charter, but the court argues the pullout does not affect
its jurisdiction over crimes committed earlier.
Speaking to reporters in Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, Justice
Minister Aimee Laurentine said the ICC has no right to conduct an
investigation in her country.
"Burundi, not being a state party to the ICC statute, is not
concerned with those so-called decisions of that court," said Laurentine
. "The government of Burundi rejects that decision and reiterates its
firm determination that it will not cooperate with the International
Criminal Court or any other fraudulent manipulation intending to
facilitate extended mandate of the ICC in the territory of Burundi."
The government response came a day after three judges at the ICC
authorized the prosecutor to open an investigation into alleged human
rights abuses committed inside and outside Burundi between April 2015
and October 2017.
Burundi became a member of the Rome Statute, the treaty that
established the ICC, in 2004. The country announced the plan to withdraw
from the statute in October 2016 and the notification took effect last
month. Burundi accused the court of targeting African countries.
'No crime can go unpunished'
Vital Nshimirimana, who heads Burundi's Forum for Strengthening the
Civil Society, said pulling out of the ICC wouldn't save those behind
crimes against civilians.
"Now it's very well-informed that it cannot escape justice because
victims are crying for justice and today no crime can go unpunished in
the modern world," said Nshimirimana.
According to human rights organizations, between April 2015 and May
2017 at least 1,200 people were killed, 900 disappeared forcefully and
more than 10,000 people were illegally detained amid Burundi's political
unrest.
Security forces and the ruling party youth wing better known as
Imbonerakure have been accused of being behind much of the killings of
civilians and political opponents.
Laurentine said her country has the capacity to prosecute those behind the human rights violations.
"Burundi has efficient and able institutions and legal mechanisms to
conduct investigations and to take it before justice of any kind of
crimes committed in its territory without discrimination, fear or
favor," she said.
Some rights groups, however, doubt that Burundi's judiciary can give justice to the victims of political violence.
Source: VOA
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