Between 2022 and 2025, Burundi experienced a period of relative political stability, reinforced by the peaceful conduct of the 2025 general elections. Institutional consolidation continued under Vision Burundi 2040–2060, which prioritizes good governance, the rule of law, peace and social cohesion. This stability created space for major structural reforms, including a new administrative territorial reconfiguration and the decentralization of public services aimed at bringing security and justice services closer to communities.

At the socio-economic level, persistent poverty and the steady depreciation of the Burundian franc increased the cost of public services and constrained the operational capacities of national institutions, particularly within justice, human rights and security areas. Chronic issues such as court backlogs, arbitrary arrests and prison overcrowding continued to undermine fairness and efficiency across the justice chain.

Against this backdrop, UNDP delivered multi-year, system-level results contributing to a more coherent and people-centred rule of law system. In 2024, UNDP developed an integrated portfolio designed to modernize the judicial system, strengthen social cohesion and embed human rights standards across institutions. The Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development (the Global Programme) provided catalytic funding and technical guidance – particularly on digital justice, human rights integration and sexual and gender-based violence prevention – enhancing the portfolio’s strategic coherence.

A key milestone was the rollout of virtual criminal hearings linking courts without detention facilities to prisons, significantly reducing the logistical burden and costs associated with prisoner transfer while improving access to justice. Launched in 2023, the virtual hearings became fully operational in six prisons and seven courts, despite electricity and connection issues in some places. As of 2025, 20 virtual hearings were held, benefiting 110 prisoners, including 20 women. This mechanism, combined with UNDP-supported inspections of penitentiary facilities, enabled the decongestion of detention places and had a positive effect on the fulfilment of the rights of persons deprived of liberty. For many detainees, these hearings represented their first opportunity, after months of waiting, to appear before a judge.

Further impact followed the UNDP-supported review and update of the national prison population database in November 2025, which enabled the Public Prosecutor’s Office to release over 800 people, among which were 132 women. In addition, nearly 700 detainees, including 108 women received legal and psychosocial assistance, reducing vulnerabilities linked to prolonged pre-trial detention.

The capacities across the justice chain were strengthened at scale: 866 local leaders, 200 judicial police officers, 174 magistrates and 138 judicial and prison officers were trained from January 2024 to December 2025, to enhance case management, reduce backlogs and reinforce procedural safeguards.

Access to justice was further strengthened through the expansion of Radio Justice that reached approximately 75 percent of the country. By offering interactive programmes explaining human rights, judicial procedures and available remedies, the radio helped bridge the gap between institutions and communities, increasing legal awareness nationwide. “Now we know our rights and where to go when we face injustice,” said a Radio Justice listener. The initiative contributed to greater empowerment and improved trust between communities and justice institutions.

Despite challenges, national assessments showed progress in the protection of human rights, driven by the expanded territorial presence and strengthened technical capacities of the National Independent Human Rights Commission (CNIDH). This included the establishment of new provincial branches, improved monitoring tools and an operational early-warning mechanism. UNDP’s support to CNIDH further enhanced its monitoring and oversight functions, especially through increased detention visits, contributing to the consolidation of its ‘A’ status under the Paris Principles.

Strengthened community-based mechanisms for conflict prevention and responses to sexual and gender-based violence have been institutionalized, building on early warning systems overseen by CNIDH. These mechanisms serve as structured channels for communities to engage with authorities, enabling more timely reporting, reinforcing the protection of rights and contributing to social cohesion.

Together, these results strengthened institutional performance, expanded access to justice and reinforced human rights protection, acting as catalysts for a more accessible, efficient and people-centred justice system and laying the foundations for long-term institutional transformation. Innovations advancing the digitalization of the criminal justice system improved case traceability, coordination and overall accountability, while underscoring the importance of reinforcing the entire justice chain through coordinated collaboration among courts, prosecutors, judicial police, prison authorities and the CNIDH. At the same time, close partnerships with national institutions and civil society promoted national ownership of reforms and enhanced human rights monitoring capacity. Collectively, these approaches represent key levers for sustainable judicial reform and for strengthening effective and equitable access to justice.