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 (December 2010)
In December, the Council will discuss the forthcoming mandate renewal of BINUB, the mission in Burundi. Burundi continues to delay in the establishment of transitional justice mechanisms, including a truth and reconciliation process, and a Special Chamber for prosecution of international crimes, which they have repeatedly promised to put in place. These mechanisms are necessary to bring justice to victims of sexual violence, as well as other crimes committed during the armed conflict. The SC should push harder for the establishment of these mechanisms. Specific entry points for the Council on women, peace and security include:
- Training of police officers in dealing with sexual violence, and hiring more women police officers. Local police stations are currently unfriendly places for victims, meaning women often give up before officially filing a complaint.
- Encourage support by UN Team of Experts to develop better practices on police investigation on sexual violence, including by emphasizing the use of psychological expert witnesses and testimony.
In December, the Council will discuss the forthcoming mandate renewal of BINUB, the mission in Burundi. Burundi continues to delay in the establishment of transitional justice mechanisms, including a truth and reconciliation process, and a Special Chamber for prosecution of international crimes, which they have repeatedly promised to put in place. These mechanisms are necessary to bring justice to victims of sexual violence, as well as other crimes committed during the armed conflict. The SC should push harder for the establishment of these mechanisms. Specific entry points for the Council on women, peace and security include:
- Training of police officers in dealing with sexual violence, and hiring more women police officers. Local police stations are currently unfriendly places for victims, meaning women often give up before officially filing a complaint.
- Encourage support by UN Team of Experts to develop better practices on police investigation on sexual violence, including by emphasizing the use of psychological expert witnesses and testimony.
Relevant Resources
