IBJ is extremely delighted to announce that the Bâtonnier Isidore Rufyikiri has just joined its Burundi Country Advosiry Council.

A dedicated lawyer for over 9 years, Isidore has defended hundreds of accused persons - often taking on his own resources to assist defenceless persons - and sometimes risking his own freedom for the sake of justice. His work as a passionate lawyer is only the most current embodiment of his lifelong commitment to the rule of law. His brief career as a public prosecutor taught him how an unbalanced justice system where prosecution is one-sided disservices the ideal of fair and transparent justice system. He later embraced a diplomatic career as first counsellor at the Embassy of Burundi in Algeria and later Tanzania, whereby he gained international exposure and a sound knowledge of the workings of international relations.

Today, as President of the Bar Association, Isidore concentrates all his efforts at ensuring systematic access to legal counsel for every Burundian accused of a crime. His leadership has led him to work closely with the United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi to draft a bill outlining the legal framework for legal aid (Loi portant cadre légal d’assistance judiciaire et d’aide juridictionnelle), which has been submitted to the Ministry of Justice for review.

Isidore knows that pointing out at torture and expressing opposition to the government can be risky. Accused of “attempting to public order” at three different occasions, Isidore spent consecutively 2 months, 4 years and 6 months in prison, with no access to his family, little access to food and no medical treatment. He felt very ill as the prison conditions were - and are still - adverse and inhumane.

He last got arrested on August 3rd, 2006 when he openly complained, as a lawyer, that four high-ranked officials had been badly tortured by the Burundi Intelligence Agency. He remembers that the victims could barely walk. Determined to bring as much attention as possible to what he considers is totally unacceptable, Isidore wrote an official letter to the chief of the secret services, copied to the President of the Republic, the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Justice, and a flurry of media and NGOs which voiced concern over the allegations that his clients had been tortured. He then started receiving anonymous calls and threats. A couple of days later, a group of policemen surrounded his law firm, arrested him, and threw him back to jail. Each single time he got arrested, Isidore refused to receive the help of any lawyer: he ensured his own representation. He has been released on parole.

This eventful life has shaped his personality, reinforced his natural leadership qualities, unwavering dedication to human rights and audacity and inspired him to start writing a book about his experience.

Isidore joins forces with Pasteur Nzinahora and Pierre Claver Mbonimpa - the other two notable members of the Burundi Country Advisory Council - to help Astère spearhead a movement in favor of the rights of the prisoners and lay the foundations for a functioning legal aid system in Burundi.

Above: Negotiating the MoU between the Burundi Bar Association and IBJ, July 2009 (Photo by Fanny Cachat)

Above: Opening the 2009 summer legal defense training in Bujumbura with IBJ Founder and CEO (Photo by Fanny Cachat)

Above: Sharing a drink at the Bâtonnier’s house after the successful conclusion of the MoU, July 2009 (Photo by Sanjeewa Liyanage)

In addition to an extremely successful training event held in Burundi in late June and early July, IBJ has also made efforts to increase the governance of its local program. Recognizing the limitations that the long distance between the countries IBJ works in and the Geneva headquarters present, IBJ has envisioned the creation of local Country Advisory Councils (CACs) to provide extra support to country fellows. In order to achieve this goal, the idea is for CACs to provide management and mentoring experience to in-country fellows and establish extensive local networks to aid fundraising efforts and support IBJ. These CACs will act as intermediaries between the home office in Geneva and the country sites, meeting monthly with in-country Fellows, attending trials where IBJ is representing clients, and discussing ways to re-strategize country initiatives.

In Burundi, an accomplished and notable advisor has already been recruited. Pasteur Nzinahora, former ambassador of Burundi in France, holds over fifteen years of magistrate experience and was once president of the Supreme Court of Burundi. Along with a history of experience, he brings with him an extensive network of contacts in the judicial system, which will play a vital role in strengthening the project and fundraising efforts in Burundi. Pasteur has a long experience of involvement on the international scene, in particular within francophone countries: among other key positions, he was the Director of the West African Regional Office at the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and the Director of legal and judicial cooperation at the Association ds Hautes Juridictions de Cassation des pays ayant en partage l’usage du français (AHJUCAF).

The recruitment of this advisor will advise Astère Muyango, IBJ Burundi fellow, in prioritizing the needs for IBJ programming and building the bridges with other actors of the justice system to bring about systematic change in Burundi.

Above: Pasteur (right), next to Gitega Prison Director, during IBJ 2009 summer training. (Photo by Nathalie Mohadjer)

Above: Pasteur pausing with Sanjeewa Liyanage, IBJ Program Director, 2009 summer training. (Photo by Jean-Baptiste Bouzard)

Above: Arguing in favor of a fair criminal justice system in Burundi, 2009 summer training. (Photo by Nathalie Mohadjer)