Protestors march in Bujumbura on July 30, 2016. Despite the country
gaining relative stability, targeted killings by “unknown” criminals
continue to be reported countrywide according to the government. PHOTO
FILE | NATION
Since July 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza ran for a
controversial presidential third term, brutal killings of leaders and
civilians have continued unabated.
Despite the country
gaining relative stability, targeted killings by “unknown” criminals
continue to be reported countrywide according to the government.
For the past three months, more than 20 people have been killed in grenade attacks in public places, homes and bodies have been found dumped on the streets with tell tale signs of torture.
For the past three months, more than 20 people have been killed in grenade attacks in public places, homes and bodies have been found dumped on the streets with tell tale signs of torture.
The United
Nations Commission of Inquiry on Burundi recently called on the
International Criminal Court to open an inquiry into the alleged human
rights abuses made in the country since 2015.
The call came after the Commission released a report indicating increased violations of human rights in the country.
However,
last week, African countries launched an initiative at the United
Nations blocking the International Criminal Court from investigating
possible human rights violations in the country.
The
countries, instead developed a resolution that praised Burundi for
wishing to engage in dialogue and co-operate with the UN on the same.
Government
officials and some opposition members have been victims of the targeted
attacks and forced disappearances in the country.
Earlier
this month four people were shot dead by unknown armed group in a
Bujumbura neighbourhood while brewing illicit alcohol.
“Some
of these criminals have been arrested and some attacks are not
politically motivated but we are waiting for the investigations to be
concluded for us to know the reasons behind them,” said Burundi police
spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye.
“Any person who commits a
crime in Burundi is punished, and this shows that this is not true. We
have seen many crimes that were committed by insurgents and the Burundi
police and they were punished,” said the Burundi Justice Minister
Laurentine Kanyana.
According to the government, more
than 500 people have been killed since 2015, when the political crisis
erupted and which led to hundreds of thousands civilians fleeing the
country.
“In general, impunity still prevails in
Burundi,” said Burundi opposition leader and the deputy speaker of
parliament Agathon Rwasa.
No comments :
Post a Comment