Burundi: the human rights situation remains "very worrying", for the UN
Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye on June 26, 2020 at Ingoma stadium in Gitega.
AFP Photos / Tchandrou Nitanga
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
The commission of inquiry, mandated by the UN Human Rights Council, presented its fifth report on Wednesday, September 15.
Established in 2016, its task was originally to document the human rights violations and abuses committed in the country in April 2015, during the first protests against the re-election of former President Pierre Nkurunziza.
Évariste Ndayishimiye has since succeeded him in June 2020. The latest work of the commission shows little change since his inauguration.
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Doudou Diène, chairman of the United Nations Organization's commission of inquiry on Burundi, clearly noted some symbolic gestures on the part of the new government, such as the release of certain journalists and defenders of freedoms.
But for him, this is insufficient: “
Since the inauguration
of President Ndayishimiye
, the commission notes the persistence of serious human rights violations, some of which could constitute crimes against humanity, and also the closure of the space. democracy and the persistent refusal of the Burundian authorities to dialogue on human rights issues
.
"
Impunity for those responsible for torture
Another cause of concern for the commission of inquiry: the impunity allegedly enjoyed by those responsible for torture, executions or disappearances.
Violence attributed by investigators to the Imbonerakure, the youth league of the ruling party, and to the intelligence services.
For the situation to evolve in Burundi, structural changes are needed, according to Françoise Hampson, member of the commission: “
We cannot speak of a guarantee of human rights.
It's arbitrary, it depends on the president's will, if he wants to release you, you are released, but that is not a rule of law system.
In order to have a functioning rule of law system and a functioning state funding system and judicial system, structural changes have to be made and so far we have not seen them.
Our reports could help Burundi's partners and the international community to identify where they can perhaps help Burundi move in the right direction, but that depends first and foremost on the goodwill of the government, and so far we have seen no structural change
.
"
Little evolution
Since the United Nations commission investigated the human rights situation in Burundi, its reports indicate little change.
The members recall that their role is not to provoke a revolution, but to reference all the violations for history and justice.
This report will be presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council next Thursday.
It is its member countries which will then decide whether the mandate of the commission of inquiry on Burundi should be renewed or not for a sixth year.
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See also: Burundi: open letter from 43 NGOs to the UN Human Rights Council
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Burundi
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Évariste Ndayishimiye