UN rights chief alarmed by violence in Burundi
A top UN official has voiced alarm over reports of violence in Burundi, warning that purported coercive methods used by a pro-government militia in the country threaten its stability.
The militia known as Imbonerakure, the youth wing of the ruling CNDD-FDD party, has reportedly committed numerous acts of violence in support of President Pierre Nkurunziza, whose announcement in late April to seek a third consecutive term in office plunged the country into chaos.
“They could tip an already extremely tense situation over the edge,” the United Nations human rights chief, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, said in a statement on Tuesday, referring to the alleged violent acts.
The UN official said the group commits such purported violent acts as “summary executions, abductions, torture, beatings, death threats and other forms of intimidation, according to testimony gathered from 47 Burundian refugees in camps in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
“Imbonerakure members operate under instructions from the ruling party and with support of the national police and intelligence services, who provide them with weapons, vehicles and sometimes uniforms,” Zeid said.
“If these claims are even partially true, they indicate an extremely dangerous effort to escalate fear and tension,” he warned.
Zeid insisted that it was upon Burundian authorities to show their commitment to law and order by openly denouncing the militia group and holding criminals and violators of human rights accountable for their acts.
Around 40 people have died and scores more have been injured in the country since protests began against President Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term, which was seen by opponents as unconstitutional.
Nkurunziza, who is a former rebel leader hailing from the majority Hutu tribe, has been Burundi’s president for two legal five-year terms.
Some members of the Burundian army attempted a coup against the government on May 13 but failed when several of them were arrested by forces loyal to Nkurunziza.
The Republic of Burundi is a poverty-stricken country, landlocked in the Great Lakes region of East Africa.
XLS/KA/HJL
Senegal PM blasts French military presence, raises possibility of closing bases
ICJ to hear South Africa's call to halt Israel’s Rafah offensive
Niger cut military ties with US over Washington threats, Iran partnership: PM
Iran Armed Forces release 1st report on Raeisi, companions copter crash
VIDEO | ‘Iran’s martyred pres., FM had great impact on today’s world’
VIDEO | Iran bids farewell to President Raeisi
VIDEO | Palestinian statehood boost
Serbia defiant as UN creates Srebrenica genocide memorial day
VIDEO | Washington exploiting South Korea on alliance cost
UK police violently detain pro-Palestine students at Oxford University
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
