Judges strike for greater authority, better work conditions

Burundi judges began an indefinite strike on Monday, demanding equality among the three branches of government - executive, legislative and judiciary - judges' union president Adelin Hatungimana said at a news conference in the capital, Bujumbura. "Judges have decided to strike for four main reasons: first, the refusal of political authorities to recognise the place of the judiciary among other institutions; second, the unwillingness of the executive power to apply the judicial statute in its entirety; third, reassignments imposed on judges as a means of punishing them without clear and convincing reasons; and finally, the exclusion of judges' representatives in all processes of establishing laws pertaining to their work," Hatungimana said. He also described the working conditions of many judges countrywide as unacceptable. "It is really shameful to see how judges are deprived of proper workplace conditions," he said, citing instances where several colleagues were forced to share one office or had no office at all, and other instances where they lacked transport and communication. "Of a total of 17 public prosecutor's offices countrywide, only one has adequate means of transport," Hatungimana said, referring to Bujumbura. He warned that the strike would have a serious impact on already strained judicial system. "The consequences of work suspension by judges are enormous: there are prisoners that are due to be released today, while others are due to appear in court for judgment," he said. "There are also criminals that would be arrested by the police under judicial warrant." The government has not yet issued an official reaction to the strike.