Burundi: National Recovery Party (Parti pour le redressement national, PARENA), including its links with the Tutsi militias and armed forces and whether, since its foundation, PARENA's members have been involved in human rights abuses in Bujumbura and in Muramvya province (1994 - April 2003)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 30 April 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | BDI41473.E |
| Reference | 7 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Burundi: National Recovery Party (Parti pour le redressement national, PARENA), including its links with the Tutsi militias and armed forces and whether, since its foundation, PARENA's members have been involved in human rights abuses in Bujumbura and in Muramvya province (1994 - April 2003), 30 April 2003, BDI41473.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4d5a7.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Founded in 1994, the National Recovery Party (PARENA) is led by former Burundian president Jean-Baptiste Bagaza (Mondes rebelles 2001, 806; Europa 2002 2002, 900; AI 12 June 1996; United Kingdom Oct. 2002).
Regarding PARENA's relationship with the militias, one report noted that "[s]ince its creation it has reportedly been linked to armed movements or militias within Burundi which have incited violence against FRODEBU [Front for Democracy in Burundi] members and Hutu civilians in general. In January 2000, nearly four years after their arrest, several senior members of PARENA were convicted of plotting to assassinate President Buyoya" (ibid.).
Referring to Burundi, another source wrote that "[o]n the other side of the spectrum are the militias of young Tutsis, recruited among educated but unemployed urban youths. These militias are reportedly funded by the PARENA party of Jean-Baptiste Bagaza (Havermans Nov. 2000). Mondes rebelles listed Jean-Baptiste Bagaza among leaders who tried to use Tutsi militias to retake power in Burundi (2001, 806).
A 12 June 1996 Amnesty International report stated that the Front of the Patriotic Youth (Front de la jeunesse patriotique, FJP) "is reportedly the youth wing of the Parti pour le redressement national (PARENA), National Recovery Party of former President Jean-Baptiste Bagaza. The FJP is reportedly led by Maxime Tuhabonye."
Specific information on PARENA's involvement in human rights abuses in Bujumbura and in the province of Muranvya could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, a November 2002 Human Rights Watch report pointed out that the Burundian government faced internal opposition to any peace settlement from "Tutsi radicals" among PARENA. The report added that following the arrest by authorities of Jean-Baptiste Bagaza and the suspension of PARENA's activities for "endangering state security...[y]outh supporters of Bagaza tried to disrupt life in Bujumbura by grenade attacks and barricading roads after Bagaza's arrest" ( HRW Nov. 2002).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Amnesty International (AI). 12 June 1996. "Burundi: Armed Groups Kill Without Mercy." (AI Index: AFR 16/008/1996). The Europa World Year Book 2002. 2002. 42nd ed. Vol. 1. London: Europa Publications.
Havermans, Jos. November 2000. "Burundi: Peace-Initiatives Help Stem the Violence." Published by the Réseau documentaire international sur la région des Grands Lacs africains. Human Rights Watch (HRW). November 2002. "Burundi: Esclating Violence Demands Attention." Human Rights Watch Briefing Paper. Mondes rebelles: Guérrillas, Milices, Groupes Terroristes. 2001. Arnaud de la Grange et Jean-Marc Balancie. Paris : Éditons Michalon.
United Kingdom (UK). October 2002. Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), Home Office. Burundi Country Assessment. Additional Sources Consulted
Africa Confidential 1994-March 2003
Africa Research Bulletin 1994-February 2003
LEXIS/NEXIS
Resource Centre country file. Burundi.
Websites, including:
Africatime
Allafrica
Amnesty International
European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI)
Human Rights Watch (HRW)
FIDH
ReliefWeb.
