Seminar on democracy and minority rights ends

A three-day seminar aimed at informing members of Burundi’s minority Batwa community on their human rights, democracy and the country’s peace process ended in the central province of Gitega on Wednesday. The seminar briefed the participants on the country's political problems and how they could, as citizens, play a greater part in Burundi's affairs and the search for peace. The Batwa, who form 1 percent of the country’s 6.4 million people, have felt marginalised because of their small number and their status as "pygmies". "Most of our rights have been violated, including the right to land, the right to education, the right to health," Vital Bampaye, a Twa student, said on Radio Bonesha. "Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, and for the people, which means that a democratic government should get everybody involved," he added. "However, it is a fact that Twas [Batwa] have been excluded from the management of the affairs of their country since the times of the monarchy up to today." With the seminar over, the participants are expected to return to their respective places of origin and "inform those who remained at home", said Benoit Muhimuzi, the office manager of the International Foundation for Election Systems, which organised the seminar. The seminar brought together 60 Batwa from the provinces of Gitega, Karusi and Mwaro, and representatives of Gitega organisations involved in efforts aimed at "fully integrating" the Batwa into Burundian society. Discussions centred on issues pertaining to human rights, "the real life" faced by the Burundian Batwa, and the meaning of democracy.