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2007 Assessment

Burundi: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Burundi: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Executive Accountability
Indicators		Score
23	In law, can citizens sue the government for infringement of their civil rights?	100
24	Can the chief executive be held accountable for his/her actions?	38
25	Is the executive leadership subject to criminal proceedings?	100
26	Are there regulations governing conflicts of interest by the executive branch?	25
27	Can citizens access the asset disclosure records of the heads of state and government?	0
28	In practice, official government functions are kept separate and distinct from the functions of the ruling political party.	0

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

In law, can citizens sue the government for infringement of their civil rights?

23: In law, can citizens sue the government for infringement of their civil rights?

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Article 23 Nul ne sera traité de manière arbitraire par lEtat ou ses organes. LEtat a lobligation dindemniser toute personne victime de traitement arbitraire de son fait ou du fait de ses organes.

D E LOMBUDSMAN A rticle 2 37 LOmbudsman reçoit les plaintes et mène des enquêtes concernant des fautes de gestion et des violations des droits des citoyens commises par des agents de la fonction publique et du judiciaire et fait des recommandations à ce sujet aux autorités compétentes. Il assure également une médiation entre lAdministration et les citoyens et entre les ministères et lAdministration et joue le rôle dobservateur en ce qui concerne le fonctionnement de ladministration publique. Lorganisation et le fonctionnement de son service sont fixés par la loi.

Can the chief executive be held accountable for his/her actions?

24a: In practice, the chief executive gives reasons for his/her policy decisions.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Interview with Gabriel Nikundana, editor in chief of Radio Isanganiro, Aug. 24, 2007, in Bujumbura.

Interview with Innocent Muhozi, a former member of the National Council for Communication, director of Radio Renaissance FM and Television Renaissance, Aug. 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.

Interview with Eugene Nindorera, former minister of human rights and institutional reforms, Aug. 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.

24b: In law, the judiciary can review the actions of the executive.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Article 225 La Cour Constitutionnelle est la juridiction de lEtat en matière constitutionnelle. Elle est juge de la constitutionnalité des lois et interprète la Constitution. Article 228 La Cour Constitutionnelle est compétente pour : - statuer sur la constitutionnalité des lois et des actes réglementaires pris dans les matières autres que celles relevant du domaine de la loi ; - assurer le respect de la présente Constitution, y compris la Charte des Droits fondamentaux, par les organes de lEtat, les autres institutions; - interpréter la Constitution, à la demande du Président de la République, du Président de lAssemblée Nationale, du Président du Sénat, dun quart des députés ou dun quart des sénateurs ; Article 231 Une disposition déclarée inconstitutionnelle ne peut être ni promulguée ni mise en application. Les décisions de la Cour Constitutionnelle ne sont susceptibles daucun recours.

24c: In practice, when necessary, the judiciary reviews the actions of the executive.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Interview with Eugene Nindorera, former minister of human rights and institutional reforms, Aug. 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.

Interview with Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, chairman of the Association for the Protection of Human Rights and the People Detained.

International Crisis Group, "Democracy and Peace at Risk," Nov. 30, 2006.

ligue ITEKA.Rapport d'activtés année 2006.

24d: In practice, the chief executive limits the use of executive orders for establishing new regulations, policies, or government practices.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Interview with Eugene Nindorera, former minister of human rights and institutional reforms, Aug. 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.

Ligue ITEKA, rapport d'activités de l'exercice 2006 Rapports du secrétaire général sur l'opération des Nations Unies au Burundi Rapports périodiques du CNDD sur la gestion du pouvoir

Peer Review Comments: The presidential decree has been abused but the real problem is that neither the Executive nor the Legislature do much work, and there is a severe lack of capacity.

Is the executive leadership subject to criminal proceedings?

25a: In law, the heads of state and government can be prosecuted for crimes they commit.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Article 116 Le Président de la République peut être déclaré déchu de ses fonctions pour faute grave, abus grave ou corruption, par une résolution prise par les deux tiers des membres de lAssemblée Nationale et du Sénat réunis. Article 117 Le Président de la République nest pénalement responsable des actes accomplis dans lexercice de ses fonctions quen cas de haute trahison. Il y a haute trahison lorsquen violation de la Constitution ou de la loi, le Président de la République commet délibérément un acte contraire aux intérêts supérieurs de la nation qui compromet gravement lunité nationale, la paix sociale, la justice sociale, le développement du pays ou porte gravement atteinte aux droits de lhomme, à lintégrité du territoire, à lindépendance et à la souveraineté nationales. La haute trahison relève de la compétence de la Haute Cour de Justice. Le Président de la République ne peut être mis en accusation que par lAssemblée Nationale et le Sénat réunis en Congrès et statuant, à vote secret, à la majorité des deux-tiers des membres. Linstruction ne peut être conduite que par une équipe dau moins trois magistrats du Parquet Général de la République présidée par le Procureur Général de la République. Article 118 Lorsque la procédure de mise en accusation du Président de la République pour haute trahison est déclenchée par le Parlement, le Président de la République ne peut pas dissoudre ce dernier jusquà laboutissement de la procédure judiciaire. Article 136 Les membres du Gouvernement sont pénalement responsables des infractions commises dans lexercice de leurs fonctions. Ils sont justiciables de la Cour Suprême.

Peer Review Comments: I am not sure if this is equivalent to prosecution- and the last category showed that the Judiciary does not actually have the independence to prosecute. Faute / abus grave are not defined by law....

25b: In law, ministerial-level officials can be prosecuted for crimes they commit.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Article 136 Les membres du Gouvernement sont pénalement responsables des infractions commises dans lexercice de leurs fonctions. Ils sont justiciables de la Cour Suprême.

Are there regulations governing conflicts of interest by the executive branch?

26a: In law, the heads of state and government are required to file a regular asset disclosure form.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Article 94 Lors de leur entrée en fonction et à la fin de celle-ci, le Président de la République, les Vice-Présidents de la République et les membres du Gouvernement sont tenus de faire sur leur honneur une déclaration écrite de leurs biens et patrimoine adressée à la Cour suprême.

26b: In law, ministerial-level officials are required to file a regular asset disclosure form.

Score:

YES

Comments:

26c: In law, there are regulations governing gifts and hospitality offered to members of the executive branch.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: The post-transition constitution

Interviews with officials, notably Eugene Nindorera, former minister of human rights and institutional reforms.

26d: In law, there are requirements for the independent auditing of the executive branch asset disclosure forms (defined here as ministers and heads of state and government).

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Interview with Eugene Nindorera, former minister of human rights and institutional reforms, Aug. 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.

26e: In law, there are restrictions on heads of state and government and ministers entering the private sector after leaving the government.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: The constitution post-transition

26f: In practice, the regulations restricting post-government private sector employment for heads of state and government and ministers are effective.

Score:

100

Comments: No regulations restrict post-governement private sector employment for heads of state of government and ministers.

References: Interview with Eugene Nindorera, former minister of human rights and institutional reforms, Aug. 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.

Interview with Domitien Ndayizeye, former head of state, July 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.

26g: In practice, the regulations governing gifts and hospitality offered to members of the executive branch are effective.

Score:

100

Comments: No laws regulate gifts and hospitality to members of the executive branch.

References: Interview with Eugene Nindorera, former minister of human rights and institutional reforms, Aug. 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.

26h: In practice, executive branch asset disclosures (defined here as ministers and above) are audited.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Interview with Christophe Sebudandi, private consultant in governance and corruption, The 27 of august, Bujumbura

Can citizens access the asset disclosure records of the heads of state and government?

27a: In law, citizens can access the asset disclosure records of the heads of state and government.

Score:

YES

Comments: The disclosures are not legally available to the public but have been obtained through investigative journalism at times. The head of state must declare his assets to the Supreme court (Art 94 of the constitution) but that disclosure is not accessible to the public. In fact, when the President was leaving the Supreme court after making his declaration, he made some comments indicating that his assets only included land properties and livestock. But he didn't speak about his bank account or about houses that he owned..

References: The constitution post-transition

Peer Review Comments: The assets of the head of state are known, journalists have had access to the disclosure form.

27b: In practice, citizens can access the asset disclosure records of the heads of state and government within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Interview with Venant Kamana, minister of good governance, Aug. 27, 2007, in Bujumbura.

Peer Review Comments: I agree that it would be with inordinate delay

27c: In practice, citizens can access the asset disclosure records of the heads of state and government at a reasonable cost.

Score:

100

Comments: Record costs are prohibitive to most citizens, journalists, or CSOs trying to access the information.

References: Interview with Gabriel Nikundana, editor in chief of Radio Isanganiro, Aug. 24, 2007, in Bujumbura.

Interview with Eugene Nindorera, former minister of human rights and institutional reforms, Aug. 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.

In practice, official government functions are kept separate and distinct from the functions of the ruling political party.

28: In practice, official government functions are kept separate and distinct from the functions of the ruling political party.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Interview with Mathias Basabose, former campaign director of the ruling CNDD-FDD party, Aug. 16, 2007, in Bujumbura.

interview with Christophe Sebudandi, a private consultant in government and corruption, Aug. 27, 2007, in Bujumbura.

Interview with Domitien Ndayizeye, former head of state, July 25, 2007, in Bujumbura.

International Crisis Group, "Democracy and Peace at Risk," Nov. 30, 2006.