Burundi
Burundi
August 2015 marked the 15th anniversary of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement, which ended thirteen years of ethnic-based civil war in Burundi between the Tutsi minority and Hutu majority.
Recently, the security situation has deteriorated as the result of disagreement over President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term, resulting in violent demonstrations, excessive force against protesters, an attempted coup, and arrests of civil rights leaders. Women have been active in the political unrest, and staged the first major protest against the president’s third term bid. However, violence against women operates in a culture of impunity, with women experiencing rape, torture, and enslavement.
Based on the work of NGOWG members and their partners, the NGOWG advocates for full implementation of the government gender quota of 30%, and equal and meaningful women’s participation in designing and implementing human rights protection mechanisms.
Current and Past Recommendations to the UN Security Council (Monthly Action Points)
Burundi (May 2014)
The Security Council will continue to discuss the situation in Burundi, particularly in the context of the deterioration of the political and security situation. As the United Nations Office in Burundi (BNUB) is set to draw down by 1 January 2015, these developments are concerning. The Security Council should ensure that gender is a crosscutting issue in its discussions, and is a core part of the transition process. Specifically, the Council should also continue to take additional measures to ensure effective human rights monitoring and justice for survivors of crimes, including crimes of sexual violence, and as part of its efforts towards inclusive and participatory transitional justice, should support the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a special chamber for prosecution of international crimes. To prevent more politically motivated violence and reprisals, the Council should support dialogue between the government and the opposition, with the meaningful participation of women.
Relevant Resources
