UN to investigate mass graves scandal in Burundi

The United Nations will send independent experts to investigate alleged mass graves discovered in Burundi, a senior UN official told news agencies.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for investigations into the possible existence of at least nine mass graves discovered in Bujumbura and its environs including a military camp.

According to witnesses at least 100 bodies were found in the mass graves, all killed as a result of attacks on December 11 against three military camps.

Ivan Simonovic, the Assistant Secretary General for human rights, told the press that a prosecutor in Burundi has opened investigations into the mass graves scandal and the UN has offered assistance.

“Somebody will open the graves; we would like to be present when this will happen and we propose to provide experts,” Simonovic said.

The government, which has rejected the UN accusations about these mass graves, is still to respond to this proposal.

UN experts are examining satellite images of alleged mass grave sites and have requested the collaboration of the Burundian government.

More than 400 people have been killed since the beginning of the crisis in Burundi, which has also pushed 230,000 people into exile.