The Batwa Pygmies of the Great Lakes Region - UNHCR
The Batwa Pygmies of the Great Lakes Region - UNHCR
The Batwa Pygmies of the Great Lakes Region - UNHCR
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In Burundi many <strong>Batwa</strong> described a similar process<br />
occurring through <strong>the</strong> judicial system. If a person convicted<br />
<strong>of</strong> an <strong>of</strong>fence has no money to pay <strong>the</strong> fine, <strong>the</strong> local<br />
authorities may sell part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir land to obtain <strong>the</strong> money.<br />
This apparently began in <strong>the</strong> colonial period when those<br />
unable to pay taxes had land confiscated. Intense land<br />
pressure in Burundi today has increasingly led to people<br />
being imprisoned on false pretences.<br />
‘We have too many problems. We’re always being<br />
accused <strong>of</strong> things we didn’t do. <strong>The</strong>y don’t listen to<br />
us. <strong>The</strong> Mutwa is always wrong. As we never have<br />
enough money to pay <strong>the</strong> fines we have to sell plots<br />
<strong>of</strong> land to liberate ourselves.’<br />
Mutwa man aged 40, Burundi, July 1999<br />
Several <strong>Batwa</strong> interviewed by <strong>the</strong> author gave similar<br />
reports. Farmers desiring <strong>Batwa</strong> land will fabricate<br />
charges in order to get <strong>the</strong> landowner arrested. Often,<br />
using contacts within <strong>the</strong> local administration, <strong>the</strong> farmer<br />
will seek to ensure <strong>the</strong> Mutwa is found guilty. Once a fine<br />
has been levied, <strong>the</strong> farmer can be confident that <strong>the</strong><br />
Mutwa will be unable to pay, giving him <strong>the</strong> opportunity<br />
to legally obtain <strong>the</strong> land he covets.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ir illiteracy and poverty, coupled with <strong>the</strong> discrimination<br />
<strong>the</strong>y face, are great barriers preventing <strong>Batwa</strong> from<br />
getting equitable access to justice. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Batwa</strong> would clearly<br />
benefit from a locally based legal support network <strong>of</strong><br />
African lawyers to assist <strong>the</strong>m to defend <strong>the</strong>ir rights and<br />
provide <strong>the</strong> legal support for advocacy initiatives that may<br />
put individuals or organizations at risk.<br />
◗<br />
Discrimination: <strong>The</strong> major issue<br />
THE BATWA PYGMIES OF THE GREAT LAKES REGION