NGOs raise concern over rights violations in Burundi

Non governmental organizations in Burundi are calling for immediate stop to human rights violations involving law enforcement and security officers in the country.

The NGOs claimed that the law enforcement unit has conducted several extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and torture, and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment to public members.

A 2016 report by SOS Torture campaign revealed 46 people from 12 provinces in Burundi were arbitrarily executed. The same report reveals the killing of citizens in different areas of the country and abduction of 74 people by the agents of security forces.

The body recommends investigations to be done within the framework of the International Criminal Court to identify those responsible for serious human rights violations in Burundi and to institute international legal proceedings against persons and entities found guilty of these crimes.

The UN Security council in July 2016 authorized the deployment of up to 228 UN police to Burundi to monitor security and human rights, but the government has blocked progress on that force.

Hundreds have died and 390,000 people have fled since the country descended into violence in April 2015 after President Pierre Nkurunziza announced plans to run for a third term, which he went on to win.