UN Watchdog Reports Continued Human Rights Abuses in Burundi

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Chinedu Ibeakanma

Chinedu Ibeakanma is a trained journalist. He holds a masters degree in Mass Communication and you’ll often find him writing breaking news stories on politics, sports, business, lifestyle, and other interesting beats. Chinedu is also a broadcaster and when he is not in the studio, you will find him analysing critical issues that affect humanity

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A UN watchdog reports that there has been continued human rights violations such as sexual violence, murder, and summary executions in Burundi

The citizens had earlier hoped on a new era where peace will reign with the election of new President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who was elected in May after taking over from his predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza.

Former President Pierre Nkurunziza stayed in office for 15 years and during his tenure, at least 1,000 people were killed with over 400,000 displaced during an unrest which lasted between April 2015 and May 2017, according to the UN.

While there were expectations of a change of fortunes in the Central African Country after the transition of Government, a Commission of Inquiry on Burundi has reported disappearance and killings in recent weeks.

The report also stated that there was evidence of sexual violence, summary executions and torture.

“In recent weeks there have continued to be killings

“In recent weeks there have continued to be killings, there have continued to be arbitrary detentions and there have continued to be disappearances,” said Commission of Inquiry member Francoise Hampson.

“It’s slightly surprising that it is continuing as it was even though elections have finished. And that is a matter of very grave concern.”

The investigators also examined serious violations committed on teenagers, who they described as “specifically targeted.”

“They are forcibly recruited into the ruling party’s youth league, the Imbonerakure, other times they were harmed when other family members are the real targets,” the commissioners said.

“We very much fear the consequences of the 2015 crisis for Burundi’s future, not least because of the long-term impact it will have on the children”, said the Commission.

Over the past four years, the commission has been the only independent mechanism to report on human rights violations in Burundi

The panel is concerned that this oversight will disappear when it ends its mandate this year.

The report will be presented to the Human Rights Council on 23 September.