17 Nov 2011 • Juvenile justice Burundi, Senegal

Burundi: The government takes a leaf from Senegalese juvenile justice

- Published by Darcissac, Marion

As the saying goes: “It’s better to see once with your own eyes than to hear one hundred times”. And this is just what three executives from the Burundi government did, invited by Terre des hommes; they went to Senegal to see for themselves the system of socio-legal protection for minors. They enjoyed the famous ‘Teranga’ (Senegalese hospitality) and were also able to experience a system implementing ‘educational’ justice.

In Senegal, two Burundi Ministers found out about a law adapted to minors

This investigation of the law for minors in Senegal was organised by the Terre des hommes’ delegation in Burundi from 22nd October until 1st November 2011. Two executives from the Ministry for Solidarity, a consultant from the Ministry of Justice, and the head of the Terre des hommes project for young delinquents took part in this trip. The group was guided by Maitre Diassi, a consultant on justice for minors, and they were welcomed by the Tdh delegation in Senegal.

The objective of the mission was to understand the Senegal institutional and social model for delinquent minors – a model with over 200 years’ history. The mission aimed in particular to be an inspiration for the establishment of its own particular system of justice for minors in Burundi.

During the visit, the team was able to see the national school for specialised youth workers, the educational services who intervene in looking after children at risk or in conflict with the law (AEMO), the Youth Court, the Department for Supervised Education and Social Protection (DESPS), the Department for the Rights and Protection of the Child, two centres for the protection of Minors in Conflict with the Law… A large number of these services do not yet exist in Burundi.

These visits also allowed the guests from Burundi to appreciate the added-value and pertinence of an educational justice for minors, rather than the wholly repressive one often ruling in Burundi. Another observation was made: the importance given to separating minors and adults in detention. Finally, the powerful interaction of the various parties dealing with minors was also considered to be very pertinent (interaction between the Brigade for Minors, the Prosecution, the Youth Court, the Department for Supervised Education and Social Protection, the Services for Educational Action in an Open Environment (AEMO), the various centres and specialised teachers, local authorities, various religious faiths, national as well as international organisations, etc., etc.).

And back to Burundi with the will to install restorative juvenile justice

At the end of the mission, observations and recommendations were put forward by the team and a report handed to the Ministers of the two Ministries involved in this visit. The first assessment that can be made: this trip enabled inter-ministerial thinking on the pertinence of a system of Justice for Minors. So this first report was very positive. The next step . . . setting up this system!

Further information on the work of Tdh in Burundi

Further information on Terre des hommes’ projects for juvenile justice