Pierre Claver Nzeyimana, a lawyer with 15 years of experience as a human rights defender and prominent activist in Burundi, joined the International Human Rights Law Group in October 2000. In 1991, Mr. Nzeyimana was one of the founders of Ligue ITEKA, an organization committed to the protection and promotion of human rights in Burundi and throughout the Great Lakes region. In this capacity, he participated in multiple human rights initiatives in Burundi and elsewhere and helped train young people and local authorities on the importance of observing the rights enshrined both in the laws of Burundi and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He also served as a legal and diplomatic advisor to the Prime Minister of Burundi, later rising to the position of Chief of Staff.