TITLE XII. OF THE NATIONAL COUNCILS
Article 268
In view of assuring a large participation of the citizens in the administration of the public affairs, the State puts in place the following national councils:
- The National Council for National Unity and Reconciliation;
The National Observatory for the prevention and the eradication of genocide, of war crimes and of crimes against humanity; The National Council of Security; The Economic and Social Council; The National Council of Communication.
The Government guarantees to these Councils the necessary means for their functioning.
1. Of the National Council for National Unity and Reconciliation
Article 269
The National Council for National Unity and Reconciliation is a consultative organ given the charge of notably:
- Conducting reflections and giving advice on all essential issues related to unity, to peace and to national reconciliation, in particular those relating to the prioritizing missions of the institutions;
Following regularly the evolution of the Burundian society from the point of view of the issue of the national unity and of reconciliation; Producing periodically a report on the status of national unity and reconciliation and bring it to the cognizance of the nation; Emitting proposals in view of the improvement of the situation of the national unity and of the reconciliation in the country; Conceiving and initiating the necessary actions in view of rehabilitating the institution of Ubushingantahe, to make of it an instrument of peace and of social cohesion; Emitting opinions and proposals on other matters of interest to the nation.
The National Council for National Unity and Reconciliation is consulted by the President of the Republic, the Government, the National Assembly and the Senate.
On its own initiative, it may equally emit opinions and render them public.
Article 270
The National Council for National Unity and Reconciliation is composed of notable persons recognized for their moral integrity and the interest they bear for the life of the nation and more particularly to its unity.
The members of the National Council for National Unity and Reconciliation are appointed by the President of the Republic in concert with the Vice-Presidents of the Republic.
Article 271
The members of the National Council for National Unity and Reconciliation must take an oath to defend the national unity and to promote reconciliation.
Article 272
The National Council for National Unity and Reconciliation produces an annual report that it submits to the President of the Republic, to the Government, to the National Assembly and to the Senate.
Article 273
An organic law specifies the composition and establishes the organization and the functioning of the National Council for National Unity and Reconciliation.
2. Of the National Observatory for the Prevention and the Eradication of Genocide, of War Crimes and of Crimes Against Humanity
Article 274
The National Observatory for the prevention and eradication of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity is a consultative organ charged with:
- Following regularly the evolution of the Burundian society from the point of view of the issue of genocide, of war crimes and of other crimes against humanity;
Preventing and eradicating the acts of genocide, war crimes and other crimes against humanity; Suggesting the measures to effectively fight against the impunity of crimes; Promoting the creation of a regional observatory; Promoting a national inter-ethnic front of resistance against genocide, war crimes and other crimes against humanity, as well as against globalization and collective culpability; Promoting legislation against genocide, war crimes and the other crimes against humanity, and following the strict respect of it; Proposing policies and measures for the rehabilitation of the victims of genocide, of war crimes and of other crimes against humanity; Contributing to the implementation of vast program of sensitization and education to peace, to unity and to national reconciliation.
Article 275
The National Observatory for the prevention and the eradication of genocide, of war crimes and of crimes against humanity produces an annual report that it submits to the President of the Republic, to the Government, to the National Assembly and to the Senate.
Article 276
An organic law determines the missions, the composition, the organization and the functioning of the National Observatory for the prevention and the eradication of genocide, of war crimes and of crimes against humanity.
3. Of the National Council of Security
Article 277
The National Council of Security is a consultative organ given the charge of assisting the President of the Republic and the Government in the elaboration of the policy in the matters of security, in the following of the situation of the country in the matter of security, in the following of the strategies of defense, of security and maintenance of order in the case of crisis.
The Council follows attentively the status of the national unity and cohesion within the Corps of Defense and of Security.
The Council may be consulted on any other issue in relation to the security of the country.
The Council produces an annual report that it submits to the President of the Republic, to the Government, to the National Assembly and to the Senate.
Article 278
The members of the National Council of Security are appointed by the President of the Republic in concert with the Vice-Presidents of the Republic.
Article 279
An organic law determines the missions, the composition, the organization and the functioning of the National Council of Security.
4. Of the Economic and Social Council
Article 280
The Economic and Social Council is a consultative organ with competence in all the aspects of the economic and social development of the country.
It is obligatorily consulted on any project of development, issues of the environment and conservation of nature and on any project of regional or sub-regional integration.
The Economic and Social Council can, on its own initiative, under the form of recommendations, draw the attention of the National Assembly, of the Senate or of the Government to the reforms of economic and social order that seem to conform to or contradict the general interest.
Its gives its opinion on all issues brought to its examination by the President of the Republic, the Government, the National Assembly, the Senate or by another public institution.
Article 281
The Economic and Social Council is composed of members chosen for their competence in the different socio-professional sectors of the country.
The members of the Economic and Social Council are appointed by the President of the Republic in concert with the Vice-Presidents of the Republic.
Article 282
The Economic and Social Council produces an annual report that it addresses to the President of the Republic, to the Government, to the National Assembly and to the Senate.
Article 283
An organic law determines the missions, the composition, the organization and the functioning of the Economic and Social Council.
5. Of the National Council of Communication
Article 284
The National Council of Communication sees to the freedom of audio-visual and written communication within the respect for the law, for public order and for morality.
The National Council of Communication has, to the effect, a power of decision notably in the matter of the respect for and the promotion of the freedom of the press and the equitable access of the diverse political, social, economic and cultural opinions to the public media.
The National Council of Communication equally plays a consultative role vis-à-vis the Government in the matter of communication.
Article 285
The National Council of Communication is composed of members chosen in the sector of communication and in the diverse sectors of users of the media, on the base of the interest that they bear for social communication, and for the freedoms of the press, expression, and opinion.
Article 286
The members of the National Council of Communication are appointed by the President of the Republic in concert with the Vice-Presidents of the Republic.
Article 287
The National Council of Communication produces an annual report that it submits to the President of the Republic, to the Government, to the National Assembly and to the Senate.
Article 288
An organic law determines the missions, composition, organization and functioning of the National Council of Communication.
