Repression and genocidal dynamics in Burundi

Today, FIDH and ITEKA are releasing a report, Repression and genocidal dynamics in Burundi, the result of months of investigation and analysis on the repression and crimes perpetrated by the regime’s forces in Burundi since the popular protests in April 2015.

Based on the findings of severe repression and genocidal dynamics, FIDH and ITEKA are launching an international mobilization campaign from Paris and New York, #StopThisMovie, centered on the trailer of an imagined film titled, Genocide in Burundi and a petition addressed to the United Nations. The objective is to obtain concrete action from the African Union and the United Nations to stop the daily crimes and prevent the worst: perpetration of genocide.

“President Nkurunziza’s regime has thrown himself into a headlong rush to retain power by all means. Since April 2015, all those perceived as opposed to the regime have been persecuted, executed, tortured, raped and disappeared, particularly into secret torture centers. We must stop this downward spiral and mobilize to halt the serious crimes under way in Burundi.” Dimitris Christopoulos, FIDH president

The 200–page report, summarized here, identifies crimes committed in Burundi since April 2015, primarily by the regime’s security forces and the youth militias of the ruling party, the Imbonerakure. Murder, kidnapping, disappearances, torture, rape and mass detention are among the crimes reported. The report further identifies the chain of command, revealing that the orders for these crimes originate with the highest ranking officials.

“The regime’s crimes have become systematic and the state apparatus serves this mass repression. Crimes against humanity are ongoing and there is a risk of genocide. In the absence of an independent judiciary system in Burundi, the International Criminal Court must investigate the crimes and those responsible.” Anschaire Nikoyagize, President of ITEKA Recent actions taken by the Burundian authorities and evidence collected by FIDH and ITEKA confirm the extremely disturbing radicalization of the regime. The use of propaganda based on ethnic ideology, secret perpetration of mass crimes, reliance on elite units and militias to suppress opponents, suspension of cooperation with the United Nations and withdrawal of Burundi from the International Criminal Court (ICC) indicate a dramatic deterioration of human rights on the ground.

The President of the Burundian Senate, Révérien Ndikuriyo, speaking on November 1st 2015 before his partisans and youth militias of the ruling party (the Imbonerakure), pointing to the Tutsis stated: “If you hear the signal with a reference that this must end, there can be no room for emotions and tears! You must pulverize, you must exterminate these people (…) Wait for the day when we say “work”, you will see the difference!” The report documents and denounces violence against human rights defenders, journalists and intellectuals, those who courageously continue to investigate and bring light to the situation. It further denounces the crimes of the armed opposition groups who carry out targeted assassinations and attacks fostering violence and reinforcing repression. To halt further deterioration of the situation, FIDH and ITEKA call on the African Union and the United Nations to deploy a peacekeeping mission to protect the civilian population. The severity of the crimes committed and the total impunity enjoyed by their perpetrators should galvanize the ICC to investigate the crimes committed in Burundi. Furthermore, the inclusive inter-Burundian dialogue must be restarted to find a solution to the crisis.