CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

Statement to the Security Council

Ivan imonovi
Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights
[Burundi]

10 August 2015
New York

Madam President,
Distinguished Members of the Security Council,
Thank you for this opportunity to address the Council. Let me congratulate you,
Madam President, on Nigerias Presidency this month and assure you that we are ready to
support you in any way you deem appropriate.
Two months ago the High Commissioner for Human Rights issued an urgent public
warning on Burundi, declaring that the violent trend in Burundi could tip an already
extremely tense situation over the edge. He urged the authorities to take immediate and
concrete measures to rein in violent elements, and also called on opposition leaders to rein in
any violent elements that may be forming on their side.
I regret to inform you that the situation in Burundi today is indeed closer to that
edge and rapidly degenerating toward renewed armed conflict with possible repercussions
in the sub-region, as well as with a risk of mass atrocities.
The human rights situation in Burundi has witnessed a major deterioration following
the last elections. OHCHRs country office confirms that at least 94 people have been killed
since the beginning of election-related violence, mostly among the opposition. At least 600
persons have been arrested and detained since April 2015, many of whom have been
subjected to torture, cruel inhuman and degrading treatment. My Office has documented over
the same period at least 40 cases of torture perpetrated by police and SNR (Intelligence
Services) agents. The majority of the persons in detention have stayed incarcerated far
beyond the legal period of pre-trial detentions.
The actual numbers of persons killed, detained or tortured may be much higher, as
OHCHR has had limited access to some affected areas and did not take into account the
fatalities resulting from the failed coup dtat of 13 May 2015. The general climate in which
these killings have taken place, however, is of utmost concern.
Of concern is also the shrinking of democratic space characterized by attacks on
journalists and private media establishments, most of which were destroyed during the crisis
and closed. About 30 journalists have fled the country for fear of their lives. Several civil
society actors have also left the country or gone into hiding, living under threats to their life
and personal security as witnessed by the attempted assassination on 3 August 2015 of
prominent human rights defender, Pierre Claver Mbonimpa. We are pleased to learn that his
current health condition indicates that his life is no longer in danger, and that on 9 August
2015, he was able to leave the country for medical treatment in Belgium.

Madam President,
A new worrying trend now observed on the ground is the killing of the ruling CNDDFDD party members, which is indicative of a climate of reprisal from other parties but also a
sign that a segment of the opposition is increasingly more organized and ready to resort to
violence, including the use of arms. Over the past two weeks, at least five members of the
ruling party have been killed by unidentified persons.

Our Office has also received credible reports of hundreds of people arrested while
trying to cross the borders on the grounds that they were allegedly going to join antiBurundian Government groups in neighbouring countries. The persons arrested, detained and
generally subject to torture or ill-treatment include youth who claimed to be leaving the
country to look for seasonal job opportunities. Through cooperation with the police and
judicial authorities, my Office has secured the release of dozens of those persons against
whom no incriminating evidence was found. However, many hundreds of people remain in
detention without being charged.
The prevailing violence in Burundi has also had many other negative consequences on
daily life: many schools were closed over the past months, many traders and business people
have fled the country, commercial activities have reduced significantly, some shops and
factories have closed down leading to unemployment for many. The health sector is
currently suffering from shortage in medical and other supplies and UNHCR has documented
that 181.000 persons have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.

Madam President,
The situation in Burundi today, as over the past decades, has been characterized by
total impunity for perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses. So far, no trials have
taken place despite the high number of civilians killed or injured since April 2015 as well as
the numerous cases of torture and ill-treatment recorded over the past months. The judiciary
appears to be paralyzed. On the one hand, this paralysis sends a dangerous signal to
perpetrators that they may continue with impunity and, on the other hand, is likely to favour
retaliation and revenge from victims or other parties, on those perceived as responsible for
human rights violations.
Following the decision of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC)
meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 13 June 2015, AU Human Rights Observers and
Military Experts have arrived in Burundi in order to monitor and report on the human rights
situation and to contribute to the disarmament exercise. My Office has established a
programme of work with them. Just today, we organised an induction and capacity-building
training and carried out a joint mission in Jabe commune Bwiza, where there were gunshots
overnight.

Now to the action points:

In the recent past, we have witnessed a relative decrease in human rights violations
and abuses at times when political talks are on-going. In view of the above
developments, this Council may wish to reiterate its call for immediate resumption
of political talks, and to encourage all Member States and organizations in the region
to do the same.

The Security Council, neighbouring and other relevant States and regional
organizations should also insist on accountability for serious human rights
violations and abuses committed in Burundi. In that respect, I would like to remind
this Council of the letter that the High Commissioner sent to President Nkurunziza on
15 May 2015, a copy of which was shared with Council members, which reminds of
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individual responsibility, including at the top of the chain of command, for

international crimes and serious human rights violations. The Office of the ICC
Prosecutor in a statement dated 8 May 2015 has also issued a warning against any
person who incites or engages in acts of mass violence during the electoral process in
Burundi. I had the opportunity to speak with the ICC Prosecutor on Friday and she
confirmed to me that should the situation continue to deteriorate she may consider
sending investigators to the ground and open a preliminary investigation.

Finally, the Security Council should also send clear messages on the necessity to
respect the Arusha Agreement and on the full protection of civil society and
independent media representatives.