Situation of human rights in Burundi

Situation of human rights in Burundi

Commission on Human Rights resolution 1997/77

1. Takes note of the interim report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi (A/51/459, annex) and his second report (E/CN.4/1997/12 and Corr.1), as well as the addendum of 7 March 1997 (E/CN.4/1997/12/Add.1);

2. Supports the efforts made by the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity and the European Union mediators in the search for a lasting solution to the problems of the Great Lakes region;

3. Encourages the Organization of African Unity in its efforts, particularly through its Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, to remain engaged in preventing the further deterioration of the situation;

4. Encourages the countries which imposed sanctions on Burundi to continue to evaluate the effects of the sanctions on the situation in Burundi;

5. Strongly condemns the massacres of civilians, summary, arbitrary and extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and detention, violence and restrictions on movement committed by all parties, and urges them to end such actions immediately;

6. Urges all parties to the conflict to end the cycle of violence and killing, notably the indiscriminate violence against refugees, women, children and the elderly;

7. Expresses deep concern at the involuntary resettlement of rural populations in regroupment camps and at the violations of human rights which occurred in that process, and calls upon the Government of Burundi to dismantle these camps and allow the displaced to return to their home villages, monitored by the Human Rights Field Operation in Burundi;

8. Regrets that the changes which occurred on 25 July 1996 were unconstitutional, and calls upon the Government of Burundi, together with all components of Burundian society, to work actively for the restoration of the rule of law and constitutional order to safeguard democracy and peace for the Burundian population;

9. Strongly condemns the murder of three workers from the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross which took place at Mugina in Cibitoke province on 4 June 1996, and urges the Government of Burundi to publish the results of the investigations carried out in this connection and to bring the culprits to justice;

10. Emphasizes that the Government of Burundi is responsible for ensuring the safety of its population as well as that of personnel of international humanitarian organizations, refugees, returnees and displaced persons;

11. Urges the Government of Burundi and, in particular, the armed forces of Burundi, as well as the other parties involved in the hostilities, to respect scrupulously the principles and rules of international humanitarian law and to facilitate the activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross so that it may carry out its mandate;

12. Calls upon the Government of Burundi to make further efforts to ensure that established legal safeguards for human rights and international human rights standards are fully respected;

13. Notes the functioning of the Criminal Appeal Court and requests the Government of Burundi to do everything possible to eradicate impunity entirely;

14. Calls for the prosecution and punishment of those who are responsible for human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law;

15. Expresses its abhorrence for the radio stations which broadcast messages advocating racial or ethnic hatred and violence as well as local newspapers pursuing the same objectives;

16. Supports all efforts to promote conditions for institutional reform and national reconciliation, in particular through dialogue among Burundians, including armed factions, in order to end the hostilities and reach a lasting political settlement and to promote a climate of reconciliation;

17. Calls upon the international community to continue to provide humanitarian assistance needed by displaced persons and returnees in Burundi;

18. Appeals to the Government of Burundi to continue to ensure the safety and security of United Nations staff and humanitarian personnel and individuals serving in Burundi;

19. Calls upon the Government of Burundi to continue to cooperate with the United Nations Human Rights Field Operation in Burundi and to provide it with access throughout the country;

20. Calls for the full deployment, in secure conditions, of the agreed 35 observers to the Human Rights Field Operation in Burundi;

21. Makes a strong appeal to the international community to commit itself resolutely to contributing to reconciliation and confidence-building in the Great Lakes region;

22. Welcomes the international efforts to reach a durable solution to the conflict in Burundi and calls upon all parties to work constructively with the international mediators;

23. Requests States not to allow their territories to be used as bases for incursions or attacks against another State, in violation of the principles of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations;

24. Condemns the illegal sale and distribution of weapons and related materials which disturb peace and security in the region;

25. Urges States and international, governmental and non-governmental organizations to cooperate with initiatives aimed at the reconstruction of Burundi, and invites international financial support for such initiatives;

26. Welcomes with satisfaction the implementation of a programme of technical assistance, and invites the High Commissioner/Centre for Human Rights to provide ongoing assistance, particularly in the field of justice and the training of members of the armed forces and the police, and to promote human rights;

27. Decides to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for an additional year and requests him to submit an interim report on the situation of human rights in Burundi to the General Assembly at its fifty-second session and a report to the Commission on Human Rights at its fifty-fourth session, and also requests the Special Rapporteur to apply a gender perspective in his work.