FIACAT’s oral statemtent cosponsored by CCPR Centre, Eurac and OMCT
Item 4 - Interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi
48th session of the Human Rights Council
23rd September 2021
Thank you Madam President,
The signatory organisations1 welcome the recent release of Germain Rukuki and Nestor Nibitanga, who had been arbitrarily detained for a long time because of their human rights work.
However, they denounce the persistence of serious human rights violations despite the hopes for change nourished by the political changeover. Since the accession to power of President Evariste Ndayishimiye, human rights organisations have recorded 695 killings, including 15 extrajudicial executions, 67 abductions, 103 tortures, 1,079 arrests and 123 victims of gender-based violence.
They strongly condemn the lack of justice for the victims and the impunity of the presumed perpetrators identified among certain law enforcement officers, the National Intelligence Service and the Imbonerakure, who are instead encouraged by officials in power.
The Burundian justice system is dysfunctional and manipulated, as demonstrated by the persecution of political opponents and human rights defenders through political trials organised in absentia, including the one brought to the attention of those concerned via social media on 2 February 2021, and for which all recourse has been blocked.
The signatory organisations call for the release of all prisoners of conscience, an end to their persecution, in particular of former deputy Fabien Banciryanino, and for the investigation and prosecution of human rights violations instead of denying their existence.
They also call for the renewal of the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry to ensure the documentation and thorough monitoring of the human rights situation in Burundi.
Thank you.
1. ACAT-BURUNDI, AJBE, APRODH, CAVIB, CB-CPI, COALITION BURUNDAISE DES DEFENSEURS DES DROITS DE L‘HOMME, COSOME, FOCODE, FORSC, LIGUE ITEKA, RCP, SOS-TORTURE/BURUNDI and UBJ supported by CCPR-CENTRE, EURAC, FIACAT and OMCT.
 HRC48 - Item 4 - ID with the CoI of Inquiry.pdf |