UN completes deployment of human rights monitors in Burundi

The United Nations independent investigation in Burundi has completed the deployment of a team of human rights monitors on the ground to investigate allegations of human rights abuses.

After the investigations, the team is expected to make recommendations on how to improve the human rights conditions in the East African nation.

Besides Burundi, the investigators will also visit neighbouring countries like Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo to collect more evidence and meet with Burundian refugees.

The full operation of the investigation mission counts on information from individuals, groups and organisations on the human rights violations and abuses which have been taking place in Burundi since the crisis started last year.

The final second visit of the investigators has been programmed for June before the presentation of their final report during the 33rd session of the human rights council in September 2016.

Burundi was plunged into crisis last year following Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term which was considered by his critics as unconstitutional.

About 450 people have been killed and more than a million displaced following the year-long violence in the country.

Peace talks called to resolve the crisis opened in Tanzania over the weekend but have been criticsed by Burundi’s opposition.

“For us, there is no dialogue, it is rather a monologue, a time wasting because dialogue or talks should be between two parties in conflict,” CNARED, an opposition party not recognised by the government said in a statement.