Document - Burundi. Homicide illégal. Ernest Manirumva











PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 16/003/2009

21 April 2009


UA 104/09 Unlawful killing

BURUNDI Ernest Manirumva




Ernest Manirumva, the vice-president of the non-governmental anti-corruption organization, the Observatory for the Struggle against Corruption and Economic Embezzlement (L’Observatoire de Lutte contre la Corruption et les Malversations Economiques,OLUCOME) was stabbed to death by unidentified men at his home in Bujumbura, the capital, on the night of 8 April. Local media and human rights defenders reported that up to eight men were looking for documents in Ernest’s possession which uncovered government corruption.


Immediately prior to his death, Ernest Manirumva had been investigating police corruption, in particular that police officials were claiming salaries for posts which allegedly did not exist. He had also been investigating corruption within private companies.


The police are currently investigating his death. However, civil society organizations have serious questions about the police’s conflict of interest because of Ernest Manirumva’s work. Civil society in Burundi has called for an independent investigation. The UN Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Burundi called on the Burundian authorities to “bring [the] perpetrators to justice.”


BACKGROUND INFORMATION


OLUCOME staff members have been regularly subjected to harassment, intimidation, including anonymous phone calls and letters threatening to kill them.


Gabriel Rufyiri, OLUCOME’s president was arrested on two occasions in 2004 and 2006. Each time, Amnesty International considered him to be a prisoner of conscience detained solely for non-violently expressing his beliefs(please see AFR 16/018/2006 and AFR 16/001/2007 for further information).


RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English, French, Kirundi or your own language:

  • Calling on the Burundian authorities to create an independent commission comprised of an independent observer, judicial officials and national police to investigate Ernest Manirumva’s murder.

  • Ensure that the perpetrators are promptly brought to trial that complies with international fair trial standards.

  • Calling on the Burundian authorities to provide public assurances that all OLUCOME staff members and Burundian human rights defenders can work freely, independently and with the full support and protection from the state authorities.


APPEALS TO:


The Prosecutor of the Republic

Monsieur Elyse Ndaye

Procureur Générale de la République
Parquet Général
BP 105

Bujumbura, Burundi
Fax : +257 22 25 88 44

Salutation: Monsieur le Procureur / Dear Procureur


President

Pierre Nkurunziza

Président de la République

Présidence de la République

Boulevard de l'Uprona

Rohero I

BP 1870

Bujumbura, Burundi

Fax: +257 22 22 74 90

Salutation: Monsieur le Président/Excellence


Minister of Justice and Keeper of Seals

Monsieur Jean-Bosco Ndikumana

Ministre de la Justice et Garde des Sceaux

Ministère de la Justice et Garde des Sceaux

BP 1880

Bujumbura, Burundi

Fax: +257 22 21 86 10

Salutation: Monsieur le Ministre


First Vice-president

Monsieur Yves Sahinguvu

Premier Vice-président

Présidence de la République

BP 1870

Bujumbura, Burundi

Fax: +257 22 22 74 90

Salutation: Monsieur le Premier Vice-président/Excellence



PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 2 June.


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