GITEGA April 25th (ABP) – The upper house of the Burundian parliament analyzed and unanimously adopted, on April 21, 2022, in its hemicycle of Gitega (central Burundi), four bills, a check on the site by ABP has revealed. Presented by the Minister of National Education and Scientific Research, Dr. François Havyarimana, the first bill brought ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the agreement in the field of education between the government of the Republic of Burundi and the Government of the Federal Republic of Brazil.
In the explanatory memorandum leading to the drafting of this bill, Dr Havyarimana indicated that it is “timely to ratify it to meet the needs for knowledge, innovation and creativity necessary to propel sustainable development. nationally, regionally and internationally”.
The second bill presented by the Minister of Public Health and the Fight against AIDS, Dr. Sylvie Nzeyimana, brought ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the financing agreement No. D9640-BI between the government of Burundi and the International Development Association in favor of the Covid-19 preparedness and response project in Burundi, additional financing, signed in Bujumbura, on January 28, 2022. Speaking on the interest of this agreement, Dr Nzeyimana indicated that this additional funding will support the efforts of the government of Burundi to further strengthen its response to the Covid-19 pandemic by purchasing vaccines and supporting the acquisition of inputs for the diagnosis and management of Covid-19.
The Minister of National Solidarity, Social Affairs, Human Rights and Gender, Ms. Imelde Sabushimike, represented the government to enlighten senators on the last two bills. One concerned the ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the additional protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights relating to the rights of persons with disabilities. According to Minister Sabushimike, this ratification bill removes the imperfections contained in international instruments relating to human rights in general, and those of persons with disabilities in particular. She added that the said ratification bill will enable the Burundian government to adapt to it and take adequate legislative and administrative measures to implement the rights recognized in the protocol.
The other bill concerned the ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the additional protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights relating to the rights of the elderly. Motivating that ratification bill, Minister Sabushimike indicated that it is part of banishing all forms of discrimination in the community against seniors. She added that the bill will make it possible to have better management of the care of senior citizens from an economic, health and social point of view.