East African Court of Justice Arusha, 28 February 2014: The First Instance Division today as it wound up the 5th quarter Session dismissed two case filed by Burundi residents against their Government Republic of Burundi and the Secretary General of the East African Community over their arrest and detention on suspicions of murder cases of two citizens in Burundi.
The first case the Court dismissed is the case of a resident in Burundi, Mr. Hilaire Ndayizamba (Applicant) who alleges that on 15th October 2009, he was arrested on suspicion that he murdered and detained of one Ernest Manirumva. He further alleges that following his arrest, he was not charged within the time prescribed by the Burundi Code of Penal Procedure and has since then been subjected to arbitrary and unlawful detention by the agents of the Government of Burundi. The Applicant claim was that the acts/ omissions of the Government of Burundi was an infringement of Article 6 (d) of the Treaty since they violate the fundamental principles of the East African Community.
The Court in its decision said that the matter was filed out of time as prescribed by the Article 30 (2) of the Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community which provides a two months time limit of the enactment or action complained of came to the knowledge of the Complainant. Court said that the Applicant’s claims were well known as by 15th June 2011 but chose to file the matter only on 23rd February 2012. Court said that there is no reason was given why the time to file the case was not complied with Article of the Treaty.
The Court further added that, it has rejected the concept of legal continuing violation and adopted for a strict interpretation of Article 30 (2) of the Treaty in order to protect the principle of legal certainty and therefore the argument of the Applicant revolving around the notion of continuing violation of the Applicant’s rights does not stand at all.
However, the Court said that the failure by the Respondent to present the Applicant before the competent Court within the prescribed time is unlawful and thus, an infringement of Article 6 (d) and 7 (1) of the Treaty. Again that since the preventive detention has never been confirmed as required by the Burundian law, there is continuing illegal and unlawful detention notwithstanding subsequent condemnations of the Applicant to life imprisonment and therefore Article 30 (2) of the Treaty regarding time computation of the time to institute proceedings cannot apply.
The second case was filed by Professor Nyamoya Francois (Applicant) a resident of Bujumbura in the Republic of Burundi, an advocate and spokesperson of one of the Opposition Political Parties in Burundi. He sued the Republic of Burundi and the Secretary General over his arrest and detention on 28th July 2011; he was arrested on the orders of the Public Prosecutor of Burundi for alleged subornation of witnesses in a criminal matter which involved the murder of one, Dr. Kassim Allan, in a case that was instituted sometime in 2003 and the Applicant alleges that keeping him in detention is an infringement of Article 6(d) and 71 (1) (d) of the Treaty.
The Court also dismissed the 2nd case on grounds of time limitation factor. It said that it is evident from the supporting document of their respective pleadings, that the acts complained of ( the arrest, detention and alleged denial of freedom of movement of the Applicant) happened between 28th July 2011 and 17th February, 2012 when he was released. It is further common ground that the instant Reference was lodged in this court on 14th October 2011 and amended on 31st August 2012. The Court therefore concluded that the Applicant filed his Reference out of the prescribed time and that action consequently spells out the obvious. That the instant case has not complied with the strict provisions of Article 30 (2) of the Treaty and the Court emphatically held that it is time-barred.
The Court also found and held that it has jurisdiction to entertain the matter and make declarations that the decision of keeping Professor Francois Nyamoya in detention as mentioned above is an infringement of Article 6 (d) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community and that it is null and void; that the Secretary General (2nd Respondent) failed to fulfill his obligations under Articles 29 and 71 of the EAC Treaty; and that the Applicant has a full right to enjoy his freedom according to the judgment of Tribunal of First Instance of Bujumbura. However as regarding the Court to order that Professor Nyamoya Francois be immediately released without any conditions, the Court declined that it does not have the jurisdiction to make that order.
The Court therefore dismissed the case and ordered each party to bear it costs.
The Court resumed the 5th quarter session on 4th February 2014; both Divisions have handled in total 17 matters. The Appellate Division had 5 cases and the First Instance Division 12 cases. i.e 3 Judgements delivered, 9 hearings, 4 scheduling conferences and 1 Taxation.
About the EACJ:
The East African Court of Justice (EACJ or ‘the Court’), is one of the organs of the East African Community established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. Established in November 2001, the Court’s major responsibility is to ensure the adherence to law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.
Arusha is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The High Courts of the Partner States serve as sub-registries.
For more information please contact:
Prof. John Ruhangisa, Registrar
Email: ruhangisa@eachq.org
Ms. Geraldine Umugwaneza, Deputy Registrar
Email: umugwaneza@eachq.org
Owora Richard Othieno, Head of Department;
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs;
EAC Secretariat
Tel: +255 784 835021; Email: othieno@eachq.org
East African Court of Justice
Arusha, Tanzania
https://www.eacj.org/