Interim Report - Report No 62, 1962

Case No 282 (Burundi) - Complaint date: 31-JAN-62 - Closed

1. 192. The original complaint was lodged with the I.L.O on 31 January 1962 by the I.F.C.T.U; it was forwarded to the Government for comment in a letter from the Director General dated 1 February 1962. At its 30th Session (February 1962) the Committee decided to suspend examination of the case until its next session as the information requested from the Government had not been received. In a letter dated 24 February 1962 the Pan-African Union of Believing Workers informed the I.L.O that it intended to associate itself with the complaint of the I.F.C.T.U. On 1 March 1962 the I.F.C.T.U submitted additional information in support of its complaint. Part of this information was submitted to the Government for comment in a letter dated 14 March 1962; another part had been forwarded to the Government in a letter dated 2 March 1962. The Government replied in a letter dated 4 April 1962.

A. A. The complainants' allegations

1. 193. The complainants alleged that on 15 January 1962 four trade union members, Messrs. Nduwabike, Ndinzurwaha, Ntaymerijakiri and Baruvura, were murdered in Usumbura. These murders were said to have been committed by young members of the Uprona party during a demonstration at the tomb of Prince Rwagasore.
2. 194. The complainants maintain that the act was premeditated. In support of this allegation they state that several months before the murders, members of trade unions in Burundi had been threatened and maltreated by the authorities. They quoted a letter written by one of the victims, Mr. Nduwabike, which said:
   • Since the Premier was killed we have often suffered reprisals. Our car has been demolished. It is only by a stroke of luck that I have not been found out and murdered by the aggressors. Several of the cars of our militant members have been burned and their houses sacked. Several others are now in hiding. My house has been pillaged and the only typewriter we possess stolen. Several personal objects have also disappeared. I am obliged to live on guard as I am on the black-list established by the former Premier.
3. 195. The complainants allege that it is the Government which caused the incidents resulting in the death of the four above-mentioned trade union members, in a plot to stifle a too active movement.
4. 196. The complainants conclude with the suggestion that the I.L.O designate a commission of inquiry to go to Burundi to make an objective investigation of the facts.
5. 197. In its reply the Belgian Government first declares that it would have no objection, in the event that the Governing Body considers it necessary, to the sending of a commission of inquiry to Burundi.
6. 198. As for the facts themselves, the Government declared that measures were taken as soon as it was informed of the incidents. The competent authorities of Burundi are said to have arrested about 20 suspects, including several important officials. The Government declared that it had approved the energetic measures taken by the local authorities.

B. B. The Committee's conclusions

1. 199. The reply of the Government shows that there would be no objection to sending a commission of inquiry to Burundi if the Governing Body feels that such a measure is necessary. The Committee recommends the Governing Body to take note of the position of the Government in this respect.
2. 200. The reply of the Government also seems to indicate that an inquiry is being made in an effort to establish the identity of the persons responsible for the incident in question.

The Committee's recommendations

1. 201. Under these circumstances the Committee, considering that the inquiry now being undertaken may provide it with information which will be of assistance to the Committee in reaching its conclusions on the allegations made, recommends the Governing Body to request the Belgian Government to be good enough to inform it of the conclusions reached by the commission of inquiry, and also of the measures taken or envisaged as a result of these conclusions and, in the meantime, to adjourn the examination of this case.