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Special Rapporteur notes persisting insecurity and clear deterioration of detention conditions in Burundi, underlines efforts by Burudian authorities to promote peace process in framework of Arusha negotiations
14 September 1998
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HR/98/69
The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi, Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, carried out his fifth mission to Burundi from 21 August to 1 September 1998.
During his visit, Mr. Pinheiro held talks with senior political, civilian, military and religious authorities, as well as with members of the diplomatic community and representatives of the United Nations system and international non-governmental organizations. He also held a number of meetings with representatives of local groups active in the areas of human rights, development and the promotion of women.
Mr. Pinheiro’s mission was interrupted when he was involved in a car accident on 31 August. Suffering from a triple fracture in his arm, he was evacuated to Switzerland for medial treatment. He was released from hospital on 7 September in satisfactory condition.
The Special Rapporteur visited many provinces during his visit to Burundi, and established that the situation of the people varied greatly depending on where they lived. For example, in Cibitoke, the people were able to go ahead with their everyday business because of important reconstruction projects which were being carried out by the authorities. In contrast, the atmosphere was strained in Nyanza-Lac, around 100 kilometres away from the capital Bujumbura. The two were linked by a road which was often attacked by rebels. In Kabezi, a nutritional centre for malnourished children, which was established by an Italian non-governmental organization and was almost ready for inauguration, was attacked and completely destroyed. The attack, which was blamed on rebels, took place although there was an army garrison situated less than 200 metres away from the centre.
Mr. Pinheiro received evidence of difficulties facing the authorities in organizing the return of children to school. Many schools had been destroyed and had not been replaced because of lack of finances. There was also a shortage of teachers.
In addition, most of the population of Burundi, especially children, continued to face a precarious future because of the combined effects of the war and the sanctions imposed on the country. The Special Rapporteur listened to allegations of violations of human rights both by elements of the armed forces and of the rebels. The Burundian justice system was weak and unable most of the time to uphold a state of law.
The Special Rapporteur noted an evident deterioration of detention conditions in Burundi due to overcrowding and the lack of financial and human resources provided to the prison authorities. At present, there were an estimated 9,000 persons detained in 11 detention centres and prisons.
Mr. Pinheiro underlined the efforts by the authorities to promote the peace process in the framework of the negotiations held in Arusha. He also welcomed the actions by the Minister in charge of human rights for the promotion of such rights in cooperation with civil society. These initiatives opened the way to a democratic transition which depended on a cease-fire which was necessary to end the systematic violations of human and international humanitarian rights.
The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi, Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, carried out his fifth mission to Burundi from 21 August to 1 September 1998.
During his visit, Mr. Pinheiro held talks with senior political, civilian, military and religious authorities, as well as with members of the diplomatic community and representatives of the United Nations system and international non-governmental organizations. He also held a number of meetings with representatives of local groups active in the areas of human rights, development and the promotion of women.
Mr. Pinheiro’s mission was interrupted when he was involved in a car accident on 31 August. Suffering from a triple fracture in his arm, he was evacuated to Switzerland for medial treatment. He was released from hospital on 7 September in satisfactory condition.
The Special Rapporteur visited many provinces during his visit to Burundi, and established that the situation of the people varied greatly depending on where they lived. For example, in Cibitoke, the people were able to go ahead with their everyday business because of important reconstruction projects which were being carried out by the authorities. In contrast, the atmosphere was strained in Nyanza-Lac, around 100 kilometres away from the capital Bujumbura. The two were linked by a road which was often attacked by rebels. In Kabezi, a nutritional centre for malnourished children, which was established by an Italian non-governmental organization and was almost ready for inauguration, was attacked and completely destroyed. The attack, which was blamed on rebels, took place although there was an army garrison situated less than 200 metres away from the centre.
Mr. Pinheiro received evidence of difficulties facing the authorities in organizing the return of children to school. Many schools had been destroyed and had not been replaced because of lack of finances. There was also a shortage of teachers.
In addition, most of the population of Burundi, especially children, continued to face a precarious future because of the combined effects of the war and the sanctions imposed on the country. The Special Rapporteur listened to allegations of violations of human rights both by elements of the armed forces and of the rebels. The Burundian justice system was weak and unable most of the time to uphold a state of law.
The Special Rapporteur noted an evident deterioration of detention conditions in Burundi due to overcrowding and the lack of financial and human resources provided to the prison authorities. At present, there were an estimated 9,000 persons detained in 11 detention centres and prisons.
Mr. Pinheiro underlined the efforts by the authorities to promote the peace process in the framework of the negotiations held in Arusha. He also welcomed the actions by the Minister in charge of human rights for the promotion of such rights in cooperation with civil society. These initiatives opened the way to a democratic transition which depended on a cease-fire which was necessary to end the systematic violations of human and international humanitarian rights.