Professional profile
Pacifique Manirakiza is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, Common Law Section, at the University of Ottawa, where he teaches international criminal law, African international law and Canadian criminal law.
In 2011, Professor Manirakiza was elected to serve as a member of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. In that capacity, he served as Chairperson of the Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights. He advocated for the rights and empowerment of local communities affected by the extractive industry in Africa.
In 2014, he was appointed as a member of the first African Union-led Commission of Inquiry in relation to the conflict in South Sudan. In the same year, Professor Manirakiza led a team of lawyers before the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, arguing a case on behalf of the Ogiek community of Kenya.
In Burundi, he served as Assistant Professor at the University of Burundi, as well as Deputy Prosecutor in Ngozi and Rutana Provinces.