Burundi is home to 3,733,000 children who live in abject poverty with chronic malnutrion and contagious diseases. They solely depend on foreign aid to survive. 12% of all childern in Burundi DIE at birth, with 20% DIE before their 5th birthdate. Burundi is one of the highest child mortality rate in the world mainly due to Malaria, Diarrhoea, and pneumonia. Many children who are born alive are already infected with HIV/AIDS. And those who go on to live are immidiately left opharned to AIDS.
2. Many types of human rights violations that children experience in pre-trial detention, in the investigation and prosecution of cases, and while in prison.
Children are sometimes tortured to extract confessions, and most have no access to legal advice or representation. Children are locked up alongside adults in overcrowded and miserable conditions for months or even years as they await trial.
There is no juvenile justice system in Burundi. Under current laws, the age of criminal responsibility is 13. Minors between 13 and 18 years old found guilty of a crime benefit only from the reductions in sentences normally given to adults convicted of the same crime. There are currently no alternatives to incarceration for children and no services to help children once they are released from detention.
Testimony: 1
"The first time, I was in the shower, which was very small. An adult came in. He just forced himself on me. He was much bigger than me, so I couldn't do anything and I was in pain. I was too afraid and too ashamed to tell anyone, and he kept coming back to me. I never told anyone in the prison administration. I still have pain in my kidneys and in my stomach. I have diarrhea a lot."– Bunyigizwa A., 15, accused of theft, Gitega Prison, April 23,
Testimony: 2
"Sleeping is very hard, as there are about 27 of us in the one room. Some of us have to sit up all night. There are no separate showers and toilets for us, the children. It's bad for the kids when the adults are in the bathrooms. I check to see who is in there before going to shower."– Jean-Mutahigizwa, 14, accused of theft, Ruyigi Prison, April 16,
Human Rights Watch called on the government of Burundi and donors working in the justice sector, such as DFID and the European Commission, to support a juvenile justice system based on international standards of the rights of the child. The system must prioritize rehabilitation, social reintegration and alternatives to incarceration.
"WATCH OUT AND FURTHER AHEAD. AS WE GUIDE THE CHILDREN NOW THAT IS THE WAY THEY WILL LEAD US TOMMOROW" watotoz.blogspot.com
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