2013

In application of the legal framework, the Government, through the Ministry in charge of Justice, has taken measures to deal with all these forms of violence. (i) By Ordinance No. 550/1622 of 19/11/2013, on the mission, composition and functioning of the specialized chambers for minors and victims of sexual violence in Burundi, the specialized chambers and sections were created at the level of the Courts of 'Appeal, of the Intermediate Courts and the Public Prosecutor's Offices near these jurisdictions for the rapid processing of cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV); (ii) special hearings on SGBV files were organized and the sensitization of magistrates in the repression of this type of crime allowed for rapid processing of these files, a reduction in the stock of these files and a reduction in cases of SGBV because the perpetrators were discouraged by the application of the penalties provided for in the law; (iii) introduction of red folders for SGBV files to distinguish them from others; (iv) the existence of a victim and witness protection service which will soon be operational.