Burundi: At what age are people considered elderly; treatment of the elderly by society and the authorities, including those who are political militants (2014-March 2018)
1. Overview
The Human Development Report 2016 on Burundi, published by the UNDP, reports that life expectancy at birth in Burundi in 2015 was 59.2 years for women and 55.1 years for men, and 57.1 years for the country overall (UN [2017]a, 3, 5). According to the same report, life expectancy in Canada in 2015 was 82.2 years (UN [2017]b, 3).
According to information published in the Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Africa, 2017 from the US Social Security Administration, the minimum age for receiving an old age pension in Burundi is 60 years (US Sept. 2017, 58). According to the President of Burundi’s Elderly Rights Defence Association (Association pour la défense des droits des personnes âgées - ADDPA), whose statements were reported in an article in the Burundian socio-economic weekly Burundi Eco, [translation] “a person deemed ‘elderly’ is a person of advanced age. In general, people who are over the age of 60 (retirement age) come under the elderly category” (Burundi Eco 16 Oct. 2017). Similarly, according to an article in the Burundian daily Le Renouveau, an [translation] “arm of the government” (Courrier international 6 July 2005), a Burundian municipal councillor in charge of social affairs gave a presentation, in an interview with Le Renouveau, on assistance that will be granted to the elderly, who were described as being over 60 years of age (Le Renouveau 15 Sept. 2017). A comparative study on ageism in Belgium and Burundi, conducted by a team from the University of Liège, in which 32 people living in Burundi were questioned between November 2013 and February 2014 (Marquet et al. 24 Aug. 2016, 1, 5), demonstrated that, for Burundians, a person at age 57 starts to be considered old (Marquet et al. 24 Aug. 2016, 8). However, in an article published in 2015 by the Burundi Red Cross, the participants in first-aid training offered to [translation] “the elderly” are described as being from ages 40 to 60 (Burundi Red Cross [2015]).
According to the 2008 General Population and Housing Census of Burundi (Recensement général de la population et de l'habitat du Burundi 2008), 4 percent of Burundi’s population is aged 60 and over (Burundi Apr. 2011, 5). Without providing further details, an article from Africa Generation News (AGnews) [1] reports that, according to the results of a study announced in February 2017 by the Permanent Secretary of Burundi’s National Social Protection Commission (Commission nationale de protection sociale - CNPS), the country has 449,800 elderly, which accounts for 4.2 percent of its population (AGnews 22 Feb. 2017).
2. Treatment by Society
Information on the treatment of the elderly by society was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
According to articles in the Burundian media, seniors in that country face financial and social difficulties (Burundi Eco 16 Oct. 2017; Igihe 22 Feb. 2014; Iwacu 29 Sept. 2014). Some sources report that seniors face poverty and are forced to panhandle (Burundi Eco 16 Oct. 2017; Igihe 2 Oct. 2014; Xinhua 9 Oct. 2013). Other sources indicate that some elderly persons are driven from their land by people who want to occupy it, and some seniors have been killed for this reason (Iwacu 27 July 2016; Igihe 22 Feb. 2014). Some sources report that elderly persons are sometimes accused of witchcraft (Yaga 13 Sept. 2016; Iwacu 29 Sept. 2014). A number of sources mention that there are seniors who are isolated and marginalized (Yaga 13 Sept. 2016; Igihe 2 Oct. 2014; Iwacu 29 Sept. 2014). According to sources, seniors require greater attention and assistance (Burundi Eco 16 Oct. 2017; Yaga 13 Sept. 2016).
The comparative study on ageism conducted by the University of Liège concluded that Burundians in Burundi had a more negative attitude toward older adults and demonstrated greater ageism than Belgians or Burundians living in Belgium (Marquet et al. 24 Aug. 2016, 9). According to the same source, among Burundians living in Burundi, seniors were primarily considered in terms of “disease,” “frailty” and “weakness” (Marquet et al. 24 Aug. 2016, 9). The ADDPA President, in a plea on the International Day of Older Persons 2017, lamented that, according to the Burundi Eco, [translation] “older people are not always respected by those younger. They are often jostled when getting on and off the bus” (Burundi Eco 16 Oct. 2017). Similarly, in an article by Yaga, a collective of Burundian bloggers [translation] “that works to change mentalities” (Yaga n.d.) and is [translation] “logistically [supported] by Dutch radio RNW” through its Waza website (Le Monde 14 May 2015), indicates that some seniors are considered by society to be [translation] “outdated [and] useless” (Yaga 13 Sept. 2016).
3. Treatment by the Authorities
The CNPS website reports that in 2011, Burundi adopted a [translation] “National Social Protection Policy (Politique nationale de protection sociale - PNPS) to build a social protection floor for everyone” (Burundi n.d.). According to the same source, one of the essential guarantees of this protection is [translation] “access to income for seniors” (Burundi n.d.). The website of Burundi’s National Social Security Institute (Institut national de sécurité sociale - INSS) reports the following:
[translation]
The INSS provides its beneficiaries with an old age pension when a person … satisfies the following conditions:
- Is 60 years of age for civilians and 45 years of age for individuals working in particularly harsh and strenuous conditions. At this time, this concerns members of the military and police officers.
- Has completed at least 15 years of insurance. However, 5 years before the usual age of eligibility for the old age pension, a beneficiary who is affected by premature mental or physical debilitation resulting in the inability to perform paid employment and who satisfies the conditions required can apply for an early pension (Burundi 19 May 2014).
According to media sources, the Burundian government states that it is aware that the financial and social situation of certain seniors remains difficult in that country (Igihe 22 Feb. 2014; Xinhua 1 Oct. 2016). The following appeared in October 2016 in an article from the Chinese Press Agency Xinhua:
[translation]
Among the measures already taken by the government, the Permanent Secretary [of the Ministry of Human Rights, Social Affairs and Gender] cited the signing of partnership agreements with centres and associations working in protection [of the elderly], which resulted in the granting of annual subsidies, the payment of water and electricity bills and tax exemptions for goods and services from abroad (Xinhua 1 Oct. 2016).
Sources point to the existence of the ADDPA and the celebration of the International Day of Older Persons in Burundi in October (Burundi Eco 16 Oct. 2017; Xinhua 9 Oct. 2013). Le Renouveau mentions the existence of the Urisanze seniors’ association in Carama and the Sainte Elisabeth hospice in Rohero (Le Renouveau 14 Oct. 2015). According to an article posted on the Burundian National Radio Television (Radio télévision nationale du Burundi - RTNB) website, the Urisanze Association, whose [translation] “goal is to promote and improve the living conditions of vulnerable seniors regardless of their gender, ethnicity, nationality, political views or any other form of discrimination,” has existed for 15 years, takes care of 1,800 elderly adults, and has branches in 11 of the 18 Burundian provinces (RTBN 9 Oct. 2017). According to Le Renouveau, Sainte Elisabeth is a seniors’ centre that accommodates 15 women (Le Renouveau 9 Aug. 2016).
In October 2017, Burundi Eco reported that the ADDPA President is asking the government [translation] “to implement a law that protects the elderly, care for them free of charge, as is done for children under the age of five, build them housing structures and provide them with radios so that they have access to information on current events in the country” (Burundi Eco 16 Oct. 2017). In September 2014, in the Burundian weekly Iwacu, Béatrice Niragira, the President of the Urisanze Association lamented that the elderly who were driven from their land or were accused of witchcraft were “ʻignored and not protectedʼ” (Iwacu 29 Sept. 2014).
3.1. Persons Targeted by Reason of Their Political Opinion
Information on the elderly targeted by the authorities by reason of their political opinion was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.
Human Rights Watch reports that in May 2014 a 66-year-old human rights defender, well known in Burundi, was arrested by authorities as part of a government crackdown against critics and opponents of the government before the 2015 elections (Human Rights Watch 29 Aug. 2014). According to sources, he was charged with endangering state security (Human Rights Watch 29 Aug. 2014; Bonesha FM 8 July 2014). According to the same sources, during his detention, his lawyer requested his release on the grounds of “old age” and ill-health, but the authorities refused (Human Rights Watch 29 Aug. 2014; Bonesha FM 8 July 2014).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Note
[1] Africa Generation News is the news website on Burundi of Generation Africa, an organization based in New York, Brussels and Bujumbura, whose purpose is to publish information on Burundi (AGnews Oct. 2012).
References
Africa Generation News (AGnews). 22 March 2017. “Le Burundi compte environ 449.800 personnes âgées – 4,28% de la population.” [Accessed 12 Feb. 2018]
Africa Generation News (AGnews). October 2012. “About Burundi Africa Generation News.” [Accessed 16 Feb. 2018]
Bonesha FM. 8 July 2014. “Burundian Court Rejects Bail Request for Jailed Rights Advocate.” (Factiva) [Accessed 13 Feb. 2018]
Burundi. 19 May 2014. Institut national de sécurité sociale (INSS). “Pension de vieillesse.” [Accessed 13 Feb. 2018]
Burundi. April 2011. Ministère de l’Intérieur, Bureau central du recensement. Recensement général de la population et de l’habitat du Burundi 2008: Synthèse des résultats définitifs. [Accessed 12 Feb. 2018]
Burundi. N.d. Commission nationale de protection sociale (CNPS). “Qu’est-ce que la protection sociale?” [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]
Burundi Eco. 16 October 2017. Jean Marie Vianney Niyongabo. “Les personnes âgées réclament leur protection.” [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]
Burundi Red Cross. [2015]. “Sauver des vies humaines, mission possible pour les personnes âgées.” [Accessed 2 Feb. 2018]
Courrier international. 6 July 2005. “Le Renouveau.” [Accessed 13 Feb. 2018]
Human Rights Watch. 29 August 2014. “Burundi – Video Highlights Activist’s Unjust Detention.” [Accessed 12 Feb. 2018]
Igihe. 2 October 2014. Alida Sabiteka. “Burundi: la protection des personnes âgées laisse à désirer.” [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]
Igihe. 22 February 2014. “Burundi: les conditions de vie des personnes âgées restent précaires.” [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]
Iwacu. 27 July 2016. Jackson Bahati. “Cibitoke: les personnes en âge avancé, à la mort!” [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]
Iwacu. 29 September 2014. Lorraine Josiane Manishatse. “Older Persons Are Ignored in Burundi.” [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]
Marquet, Manon et al. 24 August 2016. “Ageism in Belgium and Burundi: a Comparative Analysis.” [Accessed 23 Jan. 2018]
Le Monde. 14 May 2015. Emile Costard. “Au Burundi, la tentative de coup d'État en direct avec les blogueurs de Yaga Burundi.” [Accessed 19 Feb. 2018]
Le Renouveau. 15 September 2017. “Les victimes des aléas climatiques et de l’insécurité alimentaire sont prioritaires.” [Accessed 31 Jan 2018]
Le Renouveau. 9 October 2016. “Muyinga Œuvres de charité de la Première dame du pays.” (Factiva) [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]
Le Renouveau. 14 October 2015. Ezéchiel Misigaro. “Croix-Rouge Burundi : distribution de dons aux personnes âgées – un geste de soutien.” [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]
Radio télévision nationale du Burundi (RTBN). 9 October 2017. Jean Marie Ndaribaze. “Journée des personnes âgées: l’association Urisanze prend en charge plus de 1880 personnes.” [Accessed 13 Feb. 2018]
United Nations (UN). [2017]a. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Briefing Note for Countries on the 2016 Human Development Report. Burundi. [Accessed 13 Feb. 2018]
United Nations (UN). [2017]b. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Briefing Note for Countries on the 2016 Human Development Report. Canada. [Accessed 21 Feb. 2018]
United States (US). September 2017. Social Security Administration (SSA). “Burundi.” Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Africa, 2017. [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]
Xinhua. 1 October 2016. “Burundi : des personnes âgées vivent encore dans des conditions très critiques.” [Accessed 13 Feb. 2018]
Xinhua. 9 October 2013. “Burundi : les personnes âgées demandent la mise en place d’une législation qui garantit le respect de leurs droits.” [Accessed 31 Jan. 2018]
Yaga. 13 September 2016. Jean Prudent Nduwayezu. “Respectons les personnes âgées.” [Accessed 13 Feb. 2018]
Yaga. N.d. “Qui sommes-nous?” [Accessed 19 Feb. 2018]
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral sources: Association Urisanze; International Committee of the Red Cross; Ligue des droits de la personne dans la région des Grands Lacs; Organisation des médias d'Afrique centrale; research fellow in African literature with a sociological and anthropological approach having conducted research in Burundi.
Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; APA News; Burundi – ministère de la Fonction publique, du Travail et de l'Emploi; ecoi.net; Freedom House; International Crisis Group; International Federation for Human Rights; IRIN News; Radio France internationale; UN – Refworld; US – Agency for International Developement, Department of State.