The Burundian League for Children and Young People (Ligue burundaise pour l'enfance et la jeunesse, LIBEJEUN) is a non-profit non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting and protecting Burundian children and youths (LIBEJEUN 3 Mar. 2004; Women's World Summit Foundation Mar. 2002). The LIBEJEUN provides legal assistance and other services to children and youths who need them, and organizes conferences and seminars to promote awareness of issues such as sexual exploitation of children, sexually transmitted diseases, and school drop-outs (ibid.; LIBEJEUN 3 Mar. 2004).

The Burundi Human Rights League (ITEKA) Web site indicated that LIBEJEUN organized a round table in cooperation with the Canadian Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI) on the legal protection of property owned by orphans (ITEKA 28 Dec. 2002). This meeting was held on Friday, 27 December 2002 (ibid.).

During a 3 March 2004 telephone interview, the LIBEJEUN secretary-general in Bujumbura provided the following information.

Founded on 18 March 1999, the LIBEJEUN depends on the financial support of its international partners, mainly the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the CECI, and the Embassy of Belgium in Burundi. The LIBEJEUN is managed by an executive committee of six members. They are Déo Ndikumana, [translation] "legal representative;" Pascasie Nkinahamira, [translation] "assistant legal representative" and member of the Burundian National Assembly; Ferdinand Simbaruhije, secretary-general; Gabriel Hakizimana, assistant secretary-general; Liliane Ndihokubwayo, treasurer; and Gabriel Hakizimana, assistant treasurer. Plans are underway, however, to expand this committee. Additional members have already been elected, but the League is waiting for the approval of the Minister of the Interior, who is responsible for checking the new members' police records before authorizing them to hold meetings and assume their new responsibilities.

With its head office in Bujumbura, the LIBEJEUN operates in all regions of the country and counts thousands of children and youths among its clientele. This organization has approximately 50 members, each of whom is given a membership card signed by the legal representative. The most recent recruits, however, have not yet received their cards.

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 to refugee status or asylum.

Burundi Human Rights League (ITEKA), Bujumbura. 28 December 2002. "Burundi-droit de l'enfant. La LIBEJEUN organise une table ronde sur la protection juridique des biens des orphelins." http://www.ligue-iteka.bi/n281202b.htm [Accessed 2 mars 2004]

Burundian League for Children and Young People (LIBEJEUN), Bujumbura. 3 March 2004. Telephone interview with the secretary-general.

Women's World Summit Foundation, Switzerland. March 2002. World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse 29 November. Impact 2001. Activities and Events Organized by International NGOs Coalition Members. http://www.woman.ch/children/files/Report2001-III-Africa.pdf [Accessed 2 March 2004]