Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Burundi (Ratification: 1963)

Article 1(a) of the Convention. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that certain provisions of Legislative Order No. 001/34 of 23 November 1966 respecting the single national party, and of Act No. 1/136 of 25 June 1976 respecting the press, as amended by Legislative Decree No. 1/4 of 28 February 1977, place restrictions on the freedoms of association and publication that are enforceable by imprisonment involving (under section 40 of Ministerial Order No. 100/325 of 15 November 1963 to organise prison labour) the obligation to work and therefore come within the scope of the Convention, which prohibits the use of forced or compulsory labour, in particular as a punishment for holding or expressing political views or views ideologically opposed to the established political, social or economic system. The Committee noted that the Government intended to review the prison legislation in order to bring it into conformity with the provisions of the Convention. It also noted the Government's intention to formally repeal the other texts mentioned, which have fallen into abeyance.

While noting the Government's indication in its report that consultations to examine the possibility of bringing the prison legislation into conformity with the provisions of the Convention are being pursued, the Committee trusts that measures will be adopted in the near future to ensure observance of the Convention and that the Government will indicate the provisions adopted. It hopes that during these consultations, other texts which are also relevant to the Convention and on which the Committee addresses a request directly to the Government, will also be examined.