By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, September 28 -- As in Burundi the crackdown on those opposing or even questioning the third term for Pierre Nkurunziza continues, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has yet to name a replacement for its last envoy Bathily, rejected by Pierre Nkurunziza.
On September 25 at the UN, Ban met not with Nkurunziza but his second vice president; he has not scheduled any High Level meeting on Burundi during this week's General Assembly debate, unlike on other countries.
On September 28, UN High Commission for Human Rights Zeid issued this:
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Monday reported an alarming upsurge in arrests, detention and killings in Burundi since the beginning of September.
“Almost every day, dead bodies are found lying on the streets of some of Bujumbura’s neighbourhoods. In many cases, the victims appear to have been killed by a bullet fired at close range. The bodies sometimes show signs of torture and are typically found with their hands tied behind their backs,” Zeid said.
“Reports suggest that many of these people had been arrested by the police or by the National Intelligence Agency (SNR) prior to their deaths. This succession of unexplained killings, and the widespread perception that they may be linked to State institutions, is instilling a deep sense of fear within the population, especially in neighbourhoods known to be supportive of the opposition,” he added.
Since April 2015, the UN Human Rights Office has registered 134 killings as well as hundreds of cases of arbitrary arrest and detention, including 704 arrests since the beginning of September alone. In many cases, people are released after a few days. However, others sometimes stay in pre-trial detention for months on end, far beyond the maximum duration allowed by national and international law.
“We have seen an intensification of search operations allegedly aimed at seizing illegal weapons, in specific neighbourhoods of Bujumbura and in other parts of the country,” the High Commissioner said. “Young adults seem to be particularly targeted, with many of them alleging they were accused by the authorities of intending to join rebel groups based in neighbouring countries.”
“In Bujumbura, the police often surround a specific neighbourhood, blocking all entry and exit points while they carry out their searches. Given these searches sometimes continue for several days, this method raises serious concerns with regard to freedom of movement,” Zeid said. Consistent accusations of looting and destruction of property by police during such search operations have been received from diverse sources.
“My Office has documented more than 90 cases of torture since April 2015,” Zeid said. “We have also been receiving many allegations of torture carried out by the police or the SNR, with the reported aim of forcing victims to confess to participation in an armed rebellion. The perpetrators of both torture and killings appear, to date, to have enjoyed absolute impunity.”
“Because crimes as serious as extrajudicial executions and torture are going unpunished, more people are looking to take the law into their own hands. There is an increasing risk that spiralling tit-for-tat violence will plunge the country back into its bloody past,” Zeid said, noting that his team in Burundi has documented incidents of targeted attacks on members of the opposition and civil society on one hand, as well on members and supporters of the ruling CNDD-FDD party, their families, high-level Government officials and military leaders on the other.
The large number of arrests has resulted in overcrowding and deteriorating living conditions in prisons. Mid-September, some 87 civilians illegally detained in Mabanda military camp in Makamba province were finally either released or transferred to a regular prison, following advocacy efforts by the UN Human Rights Office team on the ground.
The High Commissioner also expressed concern at the situation of 52 minors who are detained alongside adults during the day in Rumonge Central Prison. He urged the Burundian authorities to transfer them to a nearby re-education centre for children.
Zeid also noted that the security situation negatively affects the daily lives of ordinary citizens, especially when it comes to their rights to education and health, and has further weakened the country’s already fragile economy. Many business have closed down or have been operating at a reduced pace.
Zeid stressed the importance of the ongoing cooperation with the Burundian authorities and urged them to fight against impunity. "
“Almost every day, dead bodies are found lying on the streets of some of Bujumbura’s neighbourhoods. In many cases, the victims appear to have been killed by a bullet fired at close range. The bodies sometimes show signs of torture and are typically found with their hands tied behind their backs,” Zeid said.
“Reports suggest that many of these people had been arrested by the police or by the National Intelligence Agency (SNR) prior to their deaths. This succession of unexplained killings, and the widespread perception that they may be linked to State institutions, is instilling a deep sense of fear within the population, especially in neighbourhoods known to be supportive of the opposition,” he added.
Since April 2015, the UN Human Rights Office has registered 134 killings as well as hundreds of cases of arbitrary arrest and detention, including 704 arrests since the beginning of September alone. In many cases, people are released after a few days. However, others sometimes stay in pre-trial detention for months on end, far beyond the maximum duration allowed by national and international law.
“We have seen an intensification of search operations allegedly aimed at seizing illegal weapons, in specific neighbourhoods of Bujumbura and in other parts of the country,” the High Commissioner said. “Young adults seem to be particularly targeted, with many of them alleging they were accused by the authorities of intending to join rebel groups based in neighbouring countries.”
“In Bujumbura, the police often surround a specific neighbourhood, blocking all entry and exit points while they carry out their searches. Given these searches sometimes continue for several days, this method raises serious concerns with regard to freedom of movement,” Zeid said. Consistent accusations of looting and destruction of property by police during such search operations have been received from diverse sources.
“My Office has documented more than 90 cases of torture since April 2015,” Zeid said. “We have also been receiving many allegations of torture carried out by the police or the SNR, with the reported aim of forcing victims to confess to participation in an armed rebellion. The perpetrators of both torture and killings appear, to date, to have enjoyed absolute impunity.”
“Because crimes as serious as extrajudicial executions and torture are going unpunished, more people are looking to take the law into their own hands. There is an increasing risk that spiralling tit-for-tat violence will plunge the country back into its bloody past,” Zeid said, noting that his team in Burundi has documented incidents of targeted attacks on members of the opposition and civil society on one hand, as well on members and supporters of the ruling CNDD-FDD party, their families, high-level Government officials and military leaders on the other.
The large number of arrests has resulted in overcrowding and deteriorating living conditions in prisons. Mid-September, some 87 civilians illegally detained in Mabanda military camp in Makamba province were finally either released or transferred to a regular prison, following advocacy efforts by the UN Human Rights Office team on the ground.
The High Commissioner also expressed concern at the situation of 52 minors who are detained alongside adults during the day in Rumonge Central Prison. He urged the Burundian authorities to transfer them to a nearby re-education centre for children.
Zeid also noted that the security situation negatively affects the daily lives of ordinary citizens, especially when it comes to their rights to education and health, and has further weakened the country’s already fragile economy. Many business have closed down or have been operating at a reduced pace.
Zeid stressed the importance of the ongoing cooperation with the Burundian authorities and urged them to fight against impunity. "
Inner City Press on September 15 asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric:
Inner City Press: on Burundi, today the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur Pablo de Greiff had said that, unless something is done, that… that things will spiral out of control. It's harkened to all the language of Rights Up Front. So I wonder, where does it stand with the Secretary-General, sending an envoy or doing something… [crosstalk]
Spokesman Dujarric: The discussions on appointing a person are still ongoing. Obviously, despite that appointment, without that appointment, we continue to watch the situation very closely with the staff on the ground and the human rights staff, and I think we would share at lot of concerns expressed by the Special Rapporteur.
Spokesman Dujarric: The discussions on appointing a person are still ongoing. Obviously, despite that appointment, without that appointment, we continue to watch the situation very closely with the staff on the ground and the human rights staff, and I think we would share at lot of concerns expressed by the Special Rapporteur.
But why then no action? Watch this site.
Back on August 28, after the Security Council's last session about Burundi, Inner City Press asked Alexis Lamek as Deputy Permanent Representative of France, the Security Council's penholder on Burundi, what had come out of the meeting.
Lamek told Inner City Press, "We discussed the issue, let's see, we seek close contact with the Burundians, to accompany the process...".
Inner City Press asked, "Any talk of the new UN Envoy?"
Lamek told Inner City Press, "It's in the air."
Then he found the door from the Security Council closed - metaphorically or not. We appreciated his answer. But an envoy was called imminent more than two weeks previous, and such quiet Security Council meetings may not help.
Later on August 28, in response to Inner City Press' questions, Ban's spokesperson's office sent this to Inner City Press:
"On Burundi, consultations are still ongoing with Burundian authorities and relevant member states on the potential appointment of a high-level representative to assist in the ongoing regional efforts on Burundi, including on what assistance would be most appropriate. The Secretary-General spoke to President Museveni and AU Chairperson Zuma in a joint teleconference on 3 August where they all agreed to work together to find a solution to the political crisis in Burundi. During the teleconference, he offered United Nations support to the sub-regional initiative, which has also been encouraged by the members of the Security Council. The Secretariat has been exchanging views with Ugandan authorities on how best the UN could assist."
Note that after Ban's August 3 conversation with Museveni, in Juba Museveni advised Salva Kiir to get the UN out of his country, saying it preserves terrorism. Still, no UN envoy to Burundi.
On August 24, Inner City Press asked the UN in writing: "It is said that Burundi police or security forces are to be deployed to MINUSMA in Mali. Please confirm or deny, and if confirm, state what screening would be in place given recent events in Burundi. Also, what is the UN's response to Amnesty International's report of Burundi security forces using torture?" More than a day passed before an answer, see below.
At 5 pm on August 25 came this UN response: "There are currently no Military troops from Burundi in the UN mission in Mali (MINUSMA). As of 31 July, there were 14 Police officers from Burundi serving as individual police officers in MINUSMA police component. No deployment of Burundi police officers to MINUSMA is planned for the foreseeable future. Following reports alleging human rights abuses on the part of some elements of the Burundian police, a decision has been taken to suspend the deployment of Burundian police officers to peacekeeping missions."
While appreciated, if deployment has been "suspended," are the 14 Burundian police still in Mali? If so, for how long?
Update: Inner City Press asked, and on August 26 the UN told Inner City Press, "On the 14 Burundian police officers, they will be rotated out of MINUSMA in the coming months according to the end of their respective terms (this rotation will be completed by March 2016)."
On August 20, Inner City Press asked the UN if any of its officials attended Nkurunziza's inauguration. Yes, it was told, from the UN Country Team.
On August 21, Inner City Press asked more, video here:
Inner City Press: In Burundi, tomorrow is the funeral of the general that was assassinated. Many people are saying it could be a very dangerous time, given the youth wing of the ruling party, etc. Is it true that the UN has told its personnel in Burundi not to go downtown tomorrow? And, two, where does it stand on the envoy that was said to be imminent some 10 days ago?
Associate Spokesperson Eri Kaneko: On security arrangements, as you know, we can’t talk about that, but on any potential envoy from the UN side, we remain in close contact with the Burundian authorities, Security Council members, as well as regional and subregional organizations to ensure that the best possible support will be provided to the political dialogue process in Burundi.
Anybody else? Okay. Let’s have a great weekend. And barring any major event, we will see you the week after next.
Associate Spokesperson Eri Kaneko: On security arrangements, as you know, we can’t talk about that, but on any potential envoy from the UN side, we remain in close contact with the Burundian authorities, Security Council members, as well as regional and subregional organizations to ensure that the best possible support will be provided to the political dialogue process in Burundi.
Anybody else? Okay. Let’s have a great weekend. And barring any major event, we will see you the week after next.
Ah, urgency.
On August 19, Inner City Press asked the UN about the new report by Radio Publique Africaine, which was the target of pro-Nkurunziza attacks early in the process, linking the government itself with the killing of its General.
Inner City Press asked not only for the UN's view, but how this media under threat, RPA, might be protected. The UN merely "referred back" to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's previously, now superseded, statement. From the UN's August 19 transcript:
Inner City Press In Burundi, one of the media that was closed by the Government, RPA, Radio Publique Africaine, has published its publication of who killed the general that the Secretary-General denounced the assassination of. Their investigation was pretty detailed, seems to say that it leads… the tracks lead back to the Government itself. So, I wanted to know—
Associate Spokesperson Vannina Maestracci: I’ll just refer you back to his statement at that moment and his alarm at the trend of politically motivated violence that we’re seeing in Burundi.
Inner City Press: But is the UN's Department of Political Affairs DPA tracking, I guess, these… it’s this… this report, one, if true, would be a pretty big thing and also seems to put the media at risk. So I wanted to know, who in the UN system is sort of tracking these events?
Associate Spokesperson: We have a presence in Burundi, a UN presence, as you know, and, of course, DPA is looking at, you know, the relevant offices in DPA look at the political developments of, all over the world, Matthew.
Associate Spokesperson Vannina Maestracci: I’ll just refer you back to his statement at that moment and his alarm at the trend of politically motivated violence that we’re seeing in Burundi.
Inner City Press: But is the UN's Department of Political Affairs DPA tracking, I guess, these… it’s this… this report, one, if true, would be a pretty big thing and also seems to put the media at risk. So I wanted to know, who in the UN system is sort of tracking these events?
Associate Spokesperson: We have a presence in Burundi, a UN presence, as you know, and, of course, DPA is looking at, you know, the relevant offices in DPA look at the political developments of, all over the world, Matthew.
In this same briefing UN spokesperson Maestracci told Inner City Press, "This is not your briefing;" earlier she said Inner City Press should just send in emails rather than say things in the briefing room and that Inner City Press is "so not interested in the answers." That Vine here.
On August 13 Inner City Press again asked UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman about the promised envoy, and about torture and threats on other human rights defenders and even former UN peacekeepers. From the UN's August 13 transcript:
Inner City Press: there’s reports from Burundi that Richard Hagabimana, a military official, I guess, viewed as being anti-Nkurunziza, is not only in detention but is being tortured. Given that he was a UN peacekeeper, I’m wondering whether the UN there in… in… in Bujumbura or otherwise is aware of that and also of threats against a second human rights defender, Mr. [inaudible] [ICP: it was Anschaire Nikoyagize], who has gone to…
Spokesman Stephane Dujarric: I haven’t seen those particular reports. We can look into them. Obviously, we’ve spoken out pretty strongly on these issues in the past.
Inner City Press: Where does it stand on an envoy which was called imminent two days ago?
Spokesman: When there is an update, I will share it with you.
Spokesman Stephane Dujarric: I haven’t seen those particular reports. We can look into them. Obviously, we’ve spoken out pretty strongly on these issues in the past.
Inner City Press: Where does it stand on an envoy which was called imminent two days ago?
Spokesman: When there is an update, I will share it with you.
Nothing. The president of the Security Council for August, Nigeria's Joy Ogwu, answered Inner City Press late on August 10 after a closed door briefing by Ivan Simonovic (see below, including possibility of ICC investigation or prosecution) that the naming of an envoy is "imminent," to maintain "momentum."
On August 11, Inner City Press asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Stephane Dujarric about it, video here, transcript here:
Inner City Press: The President of the Council yesterday called the naming of this envoy to Burundi imminent in order to keep the momentum going, which would seem to… probably come from Tayé Brook Zerihoun. Does the Secretary-General feel the same imminence and…?
Spokesman Dujarric: Yes, I think… We can debate on the meaning of words. I would say imminent would probably not be a bad choice of words.
Spokesman Dujarric: Yes, I think… We can debate on the meaning of words. I would say imminent would probably not be a bad choice of words.
Well placed sources exclusively told Inner City Press that the threat is, if any sanctions are imposed, to pull Burundi's peacekeepers from the UN Mission in the Central African Republic, and from the AU mission in Somalia.
This type of linkage has worked before with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, for example in the case of Bangladesh, with Inner City Press also closely covered.
Inner City Press obtained a copy of OHCHR's Simonovic's briefing and puts it online here.
Earlier on August 10, Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric about the crackdown including police abductions in the Jabe neighborhood of Bujumbura, when Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will name and send a new envoy and what Ban would like to see out of the Security Council meeting scheduled for the afternoon of August 10.Video here.
Dujarric had no update on an envoy; Pressed, he said that the UN has a central office in Bujumbura which victims could contact.
