SOS-TORTURE BURUNDI REPORT NO. 405 PUBLISHED ON 17 SEPTEMBER 2023
This report by SOS-Torture Burundi covers the period from 9 to 16 September 2023 concerning cases of human rights violations in Burundi.
During this period, at least two (2) people were murdered in the provinces of Bubanza and Bururi.
The report also deplores the case of an elderly woman who was severely tortured by soldiers at the Mudubugu camp in the Gihanga commune of Bubanza province.
SOS-TORTURE BURUNDI REPORT NO. 404 PUBLISHED ON 10 SEPTEMBER 2023
This report by SOS-Torture Burundi covers the period from 2 to 9 September 2023 concerning cases of human rights violations in Burundi.
During this period, at least two (2) men died in a dungeon at the police station in Cibitoke province as a result of lack of food and poor prison conditions.
The report also deplores the case of three (3) men who were abducted by members of the Burundi National Police (PNB) in Bujumbura town and Cibitoke province.
SOS-TORTURE BURUNDI REPORT NO. 403 PUBLISHED ON 3 SEPTEMBER 2023
This report by SOS-Torture Burundi covers the period from 26 August to 2 September 2023 concerning cases of human rights violations in Burundi.
During this period, at least fourteen (14) people were killed, including thirteen bodies discovered in a mass grave in the Maramvya zone in the commune of Mutimbuzi of the Bujumbura province, and a young man who was acquitted but kept in detention, who died in the regional hospital of Gitega following the refusal of his transfer to a specialised medical facility by the Attorney General of the Republic at the Court of Appeal of Gitega.
The report also deplores the case of one (1) human rights activist who was arrested and imprisoned at the order of the chief of staff of the governor of Bururi province, and that of one (1) activist of the ruling party CNDD-FDD (National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces for the Defence of Democracy), who was abducted by elements of the National Intelligence Service (SNR) in Bujumbura city.
SOS-TORTURE BURUNDI REPORT NO. 402 PUBLISHED ON 27 AUGUST 2023
This report by SOS-Torture Burundi covers the period from 19 to 26 August 2023 concerning cases of human rights violations in Burundi.
At least eight (8) people were murdered during this period in various parts of the country.
Letter To Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations (UN) Human
40 Burundian and international organizations send a letter to the Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations Human Rights Council (Geneva, Switzerland) to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur and guarantee adequate financial resources for his follow-up work and documentation of the human rights situation in Burundi
Joint statement from Burundi’s civil society
One week ahead of the African Union/European Union summit in Brussels on February 17 and 18, 2022,
which the Burundian authorities are expected to attend, Burundi’s civil society in exile expresses its
disappointment and concern regarding the decision announced on February 8 by the European Union (EU) to
lift its sanctions against Burundi. These measures were adopted in 2016 as part of the Cotonou Agreement,
following a serious deterioration of the human rights situation in the country.
COVID-19-China: Concerns About The Situation Of African Migrants’ Victims Of Inhuman Treatment In The Context Of The Fight Against The Pandemic
Members of the SOS-Torture network in Africa addressed an urgent appeal to the special Rapporteurs on the human rights of migrants, on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and members of the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent with regard to the situation of African migrants’ victims of inhuman treatment in China.
SOS Torture Burundi is member of SOS Torture network and one of the Signatories of this appeal.
Burundi Crises : Political Stalemate And The Risk Of An Explosion Of Violence On The Eve Of The 2020 Elections.
DOCUMENT PRESENTED IN FRONT OF CANADA COMMUNAL CHAMBER OF PARLIAMENT ON 06/11/2018
Burundi Crises: « Political stalemate and the risk of an explosion of violence on the eve of the 2020 elections».
Presented by Counsel Armel NIYONGERE, Lawyer, President and Legal Representative of Acat-Burundi, Director and Initiator of the Organization SOS Torture/Burundi and General Coordinator of the Lawyers’ Collective of Civil Party «Justice for Burundi”»
Email: armelniyo@gmail.com
Twitter: @NiyongereArmel
Skype: armel.niyongere78
Whatsapp: +45 369 88 718
www.acatburundi.org /www.sostortureburundi.over-blog.com /www.sostortureburundi.org
- Introduction
In the aftermath of the failure of the “fifth and final round of inter-Burundian dialogue“, which was scheduled for 24-29 October 2018, Burundi finds itself in a serious political stalemate and risks engaging in violence as its only path of political expression.
The hope of a political compromise at the end of this last round promised by Facilitator Benjamin Mkapa [1] was ruined by the boycott of the activities by the government side and the parties of its mobility. The latter demanded that the only item on the agenda for the session be the signed road map in the province of Kayanza (northern Burundi) in early August 2018 for the 2020 elections. That document has been approved by about twenty pro-government political parties without internal and external opposition.
Representatives of CNARED opposition platform in exile and opponents residing in Burundi met from 21 to 23 September 2018 in Entebbe, Uganda, and came up with a joint memorandum for facilitation.
Based on the two documents transmitted to him, the Facilitator William Benjamin Mkapa asked the participants of the 5th session of the dialogue to take into consideration the Kayanza and Entebbe roadmaps in order to come up with another roadmap including key proposals that could lead to credible holding in 2020 elections. Thus, the Facilitator Mkapa has promised to prepare a roadmap based on the Kayanza roadmap and the 5th session of the dialogue to produce a report that he will submit to the mediator and the Heads of State of East Africa for guidance.
It is noted that the independent Burundian civil society has sent correspondances to the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Presidents of the East African Community, the African Union as well as Mediation and Facilitation in the Burundian conflict, the priorities for the resolution of the Burundian crisis and their position in relation to the fifth round of negotiations for the resolution of the Burundian crisis, this letter was sent on 07 September 2018.
All parties deplored the unilateral revision of the constitution by the Burundian Government and insisted on respect for the Arusha Agreement, which remains the bedrock of the return to peace and security in Burundi. Then, positive conditions to the respect of human rights, the voluntary return of refugees must prevail for the holding of free, peaceful and transparent elections in 2020 as the reopening of destroyed media and organizations of civil society suspended or canceled …
Clearly, the failure of the East African Community’s mediation and the continued foreclosure of public space by the Government is an important factor in the deterioration of the political and security situation in the face of rising hate speech and violence during the 2020 electoral process.
[1] Former Tanzanian President working with the Ombudsman, Kaguta Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda on behalf of EAC (East African Community).
No Action Has Been Taken To Prosecute The Killers
In the report of the SOS-Torture Campaign / Burundi from 9 to 16 July 2016 we remember the arbitrary arrests that have flared up in the city of Bujumbura including qualified Musaga protest zone area of the 3rd term of the President of the Republic Pierre Nkurunziza.
Dozens of people have been victims daily raids, selected for hours before being released without explanation, while others were shipped by the police.
At least six people were killed in various localities including four in Bujumbura. Among the victims was the member for EALA (East African Legislative Assembly) Hafsa Mossi, shot near his home Mutanga north (north of Bujumbura). This is a political figure well known member of the ruling CNDD-FDD.
The report also mentions the sentence of three years’ imprisonment to a judge of the High Court of Kirundo who is the victim of assembly and expeditious justice and whose trial was not fair. The young Jean De Dieu Irakoze in custody Rutovu
1. Arbitrary arrests, abductions and enforced disappearances continue
• A young man named John of God Irakoze was arrested July 12, 2016 the Musenyi hill area Kajondi, Rutovu commune, Bururi province (south). it is a terminal rises Rutovu High School. According to his father, the police first conducted a search looking for weapons but found nothing. The police then arrested her son without explanation and took him to the dungeon of the Rutovu font. Relatives indicate that incarceration is related to the assassination of Brother Sylvère Nimirijimana, high school director Rutovu occurred on the evening of July 8, 2016 (see SOS-Torture report Burundi No. 30). But they are worried about the safety of the young man because no proof of his guilt has been established.
• Police conducted a raid in the Musaga area (south of Bujumbura) on July 12, 2016. At least 112 people were arrested between 1st and 2nd Avenues Musaga Gasekebuye and the district of the same area, people were kept during the hours sitting on the ground under a blazing sun. The police detained him for eight of Gasekebuye neighborhood. Witnesses report that all the others were released on payment of bribes, kickbacks to the police, although they had their identification papers and were recorded in the ‘specifications households’ required from the beginning of the crisis administration. A bus driver was beaten violently on the streets during the day by officers from the custody of the Burundian Minister of Public Security dated July 14, 2016.
The driver had to mow a passing procession of vehicles of Minister Alain Guillaume Bunyoni downtown Bujumbura on a busy road. The victim was shipped to an undisclosed location after the beating. This is not just a procedural violation but also inhuman and degrading treatment by the care of a minister in charge of public security for a simple road accident which was to be supported by road safety police especially that automobile insurance is mandatory.
The political authorities must enforce the application of the law as the Minister of Public Security today show above the law and to justice Favorite confirming the absence of rule of law in Burundi.
The same day, police also arrested two women suspected of taking photos of the scene after the accident (photos below).The bus driver (lying on the ground) surrounded by police who were beating him• The police again made a raid of a hundred people in the area Musaga dated 15 July 2016. Witnesses say that police were supported by the presence of military and claimed to be looking for ‘combatants’. All persons presented their identification documents but the hundred individuals were shipped by the police. The people of Musaga denounce arbitrary arrests as well as harassment by the police while the area has not had a case of insecurity for several days.
2. killings, summary executions and armed attacks listed
• On 10 July 2016 the body of a murdered young man was found in the neighborhood Mutanga north Gihosha area (north of Bujumbura). The victim had injuries to his head and face.
• Two people were killed in the Cibitoke province (north-west) in the evening of 11 July 2016. The first victim is a man named Bernard Barinahaki killed by grenade near his home in the town Bukinanyana. The second victim is called Japheth Ntacobemera capita common Mugina. Witnesses say the man was stabbed.The former member of the EALA Hafsa Mossi murdered in Bujumbura • A Burundian member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) was shot dead in July 13, 2016 the day the district Mutanga north (north of Bujumbura). The victim is Mrs Hafsa Mossi who had just left his home. Witnesses said the gunmen were in a vehicle and ambushed him. The member received two bullets in the chest and died in hospital after his evacuation. Ms Hafsa Mossi was a member of the ruling CNDD-FDD. Before becoming MP for the East African Community, she held other senior positions in the government.
• Former colleagues of the victim testified persistent threats received Hafsa Mossi recent months by certain high Burundian authorities. No action has been taken to prosecute the killers after they failed in a secure area and yet who was digging subject to certain avenues; no suspects have also been arrested yet. One of the victims murdered in Gihosha
• Two people were killed in the afternoon of 14 July 2016 Gihosha area (north of Bujumbura). The victims are a man of Rwandan nationality and a girl aged 10 who were shot by a stranger while they were in the same plot also houses a private hospital. Witnesses report that the killer has fled, leaving his gun at the crime scene.
3. A judge of Kirundo sentenced to 3 years in prison
In our report SOS-Torture Burundi No. 30, we noted the disturbing case of a judge of the District Court of Kirundo named Ildefonso Ndikumwami arrested July 2, 2016 at his home by agents of the national intelligence service accompanied by young activists ‘Imbonerakure’ of the ruling party. This judge was jailed and charged with insulting the head of state and undermine the security of the state following anti-pamphlets Nkurunziza (President of the Republic) gathered outside his home.
This case was considered expeditiously by the Court of Appeal of Ngozi (north) which met on July 6, leaving no opportunity for the accused to prepare his defense in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure. The Court delivered its verdict July 15, 2016 and sentenced Mr. Ndikumwami to 3 years in prison and a fine of 100,000 francs.
Mr. Ndikumwami has always maintained his innocence and denounced before the judges a mounting which he suffered after some files he had treated the High Court of Kirundo.
The Identity Of The Alleged Assassins Is Kept Hidden By The Police As Well As Their Conditions Of Detention
In this SOS-Torture report of 16 to 23 July 2016, we recall the arbitrary arrests that continued with more intensity in the city of Bujumbura including Musaga area described by the Bujumbura power of protest area of the 3rd term of the President of the Republic Pierre Nkurunziza.
Dozens of people have been victims daily raids in Musaga, selected for hours at the chief town of the area. Ransoming forced led by officers of the police force has become a habit, and the only hope for the people victims of these raids can recover their freedom soon.
In addition to these raids, fourteen people were arrested earlier by the police, sometimes by agents of the National Service of renseignements.A Makamba in the south of the country, sharpened youth party CNDD-FDD power recurred in illegally conducting arrests, sometimes with beatings to the victims.
The report also mentions the arrest police said three suspects in the murder of the member of EALA Hafsa Mossi shot dead in Bujumbura dated 13.07.2016. The identity of the alleged assassins is kept hidden by the police as well as their conditions of detention.
1. Arbitrary arrests, abductions and enforced disappearances continue
• Police conducted a raid dated July 16, 2016 in Buringa area Gihanga commune, Bubanza province (a few kilometers west of Bujumbura). About twenty targeted households were searched and the occupants gathered in the same place for hours. Witnesses indicate that gathered people were beaten and robbed of their belongings by police officers accompanied by soldiers. These roundup operations are increasingly carried out by police who benefits from the ‘chaos’ to steal money and demand for bribes in exchange for the release of the victims of untimely arrest.
• A young man named Jean Claude Nkunzimana was arrested on the evening of July 16, 2016 in the town Mabanda, Makamba province (south). The arrest is illegal because it was conducted by youth ‘Imbonerakure’ of the ruling CNDD-FDD accompanied by police. No warrant was presented and the search conducted at the home of the young man was allowed no input, while ‘Imbonerakure’ accused of belonging to a rebel group. Relatives and legal professionals denounce this attitude as an arbitrary arrest. The young man is detained in jail Town Makamba.
• Another young man named Jean Claude Nimubona was arrested dated July 15, 2016 in the town Kibago, Makamba province (south). The operation was conducted by police but the decision to stop it emanates from the National Intelligence Service. The young man is accused of endangering the internal security of the state but relatives report that it is a mere pretext that the authority has found to punish those who participated in protests against the third term of President Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza in April and May 2015. the young man went to Kibago for lifting final mourning his mother planned the next day ceremonies he was not allowed to participate.
• Three other men were arrested illegally by young ‘Imbonerakure’ in the Commune and Province Makamba (south) on 17 July 2016. This is Kevin Niyibitegeka, embedded Emmanuel Ndayirata and Nestor Nibitanga for dungeon Makamba police. Witnesses indicate that the three men were assaulted and tied up and taken away in a police vehicle, and that the presence of the governor of Makamba province. Youth affiliated to the ruling party regularly operate such operations in various localities as Burundian law allows only police and prosecutors to conduct an arrest. No other authority has the powers to make an arrest, much less the young political party as long as they have not invested in the quality of “CPO”. They unfortunately with the connivance of the administrative and police authorities, as provincial commissioners of police and some provincial governors.
• Five young men were arrested July 17, 2016 by police in the town Mwumba, Ngozi province (north). Those arrested are students (5 boys and 1 girl) living in the IDP site in Ngozi Ruhororo who traveled to Rwanda. No violations were alleged to these young people. Relatives denounce arbitrary and abusive arrests and demand their release.
• Another raid was conducted as of July 18, 2016 in Musaga area (south of Bujumbura). Witnesses indicate that a hundred people were arrested by the police and forced to pay bribes to be released. After this raid, someone was shipped to the dungeon of the Musaga area.
• Agents of the National Intelligence Service arrested a man named Placide at his home located at 13th Avenue neighborhood Nyakabiga II (center of Bujumbura) dated 20 July 2016. The operation was conducted by Joseph Mathias Niyonzima service information, very quoted in crimes including extrajudicial executions since the beginning of the crisis in April 2015 (cfr SOS-Torture reports Burundi No. 3, 5, 9 and 10). Witnesses say he has publicly threatened to kill the relatives and the man arrested.
• Police arrested three men in the area Buringa, Gihanga commune, Bubanza province (a few kilometers west of Bujumbura) dated July 20, 2016 in the evening. Of the three men face a local political representative of the opposition party MSD Immanuel Nibaruta; a former soldier named Théodore Nsengiyumva who is currently an elected hilly and Gérard Nsabimana. Witnesses indicate that the three victims were locked in an unofficial place of detention, then held the next day in the dungeon of Bubanza police. Families and relatives fear for their safety because having been informed that they have suffered acts of torture soon after their arrests.
• The police conducted another raid in the Musaga area (south of Bujumbura) on 21 July 2016. At least one hundred fifty (150) people were systematically arrested and gathered in groups for hours without cause. the police officers demanded that fighters surrender. After being forcibly kept, one hundred and fifty (150) people were released. These raids untimely and unjustified constitute intimidation and harassment of the inhabitants of the city of Bujumbura; they are conducted mainly in the districts known protest of the 3rd term of the President of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza but Musaga area is particularly targeted.
2.killings, summary executions and armed attacks listed
• A man named Polycardo was injured in an armed attack at his home on Murago hill town Ndava, Mwaro province (center of the country) in the evening of 14 July 2016. The victim is a member of the ruling party merchant CNDD-FDD who recognized his attackers. Three of them were arrested in possession of grenades and it turns out they are part of the league ‘Imbonerakure’ young CNDD-FDD party. Witnesses in the neighborhood are very concerned because these arrests confirm that civilians youth of the ruling party are in illegal possession of weapons with the knowledge of local authorities. It also observes the complicity of members of the security services and the judiciary who have decided to release the three suspects arrested yet in possession of weapons.
• A man was shot in the Bwiza area (center of Bujumbura) in the evening of 18 July 2016. The victim’s name is Vedaste. Witnesses say he was murdered by two gunmen as he was returning home .
• A woman called Capitoline Ntarwimo was murdered on the evening of July 19, 2016 at his home in Rubona area Mugina commune, Cibitoke province (north-west). Witnesses report that the victim was killed by knives and three children were injured. The body found wrapped in a bag
- A body of a murdered man was discovered on July 20, 2016 in the Kajaga district Mutimbuzi commune, Bujumbura province. The victim, who was not identified was subsequently packed in a bag. .
- Three arrested in the case of former MP Hafsa Mossi
The National Police said it had arrested Thursday, July 21, 2016 three suspects in the case of the assassination of the Burundian Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Hafsa Mossi (see SOS-Torture report Burundi No. 31). However, it has not disclosed the names of the arrested suspects but adds that the alleged perpetrators have confessed to have received “orders and funding from other elements based in Kigali.”This announcement is very vague and does not know the suspects detention conditions or if they have all the necessary safeguards provided by law for the manifestations of the truth. Their place of detention has also not disclosed.
4. High school students accused of loose scrawl
After nearly a month in detention, six Rumonge students were released on 22 July 2016. They were arrested June 25, 2016 to scrawl the picture of President Burundians found in textbooks (see report SOS-Torture Burundi No. 28).
With these releases, there are still eleven students detained in the country for these scribbles, seven are in Muramvya and four more in Cankuzo. The fate of these students, prosecuted for insulting the Head of State, is exaggerated even more no proof of guilt has been established by the police or prosecution before.