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 2015)
The situation in Burundi continues to be unstable, with human rights and security rapidly deteriorating as evidenced by heightened violence and increased inflammatory speech by prominent political leaders. Currently, Security Council discussion lacks consideration of the gender dimensions of the situation and key women, peace and security issues, as demonstrated in the recently adopted presidential statement (S/PRST/2015/18), as well as SCR 2248 (2015), adopted on 12 November. SCR 2248 (2015) called upon the Government of Burundi to respect, protect and guarantee all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, to adhere to the rule of law and to ‘undertake transparent accountability for acts of violence.’ The resolution also expressed the intention of the Council ‘to consider additional measures against all Burundian actors whose actions and statements contribute to the perpetuation of violence and impede the search for a peaceful solution.’ The resolution urged the government to convene an inclusive and genuine inter-Burundian dialogue involving all concerned and peaceful stakeholders, but failed to ensure that a gender perspective in any such dialogue is prioritized. The Council must ensure that gender is a cross-cutting issue by taking into account analysis and information on the distinct impact of the crisis on women, men, girls and boys, as well as the roles of women, men, girls and boys. Further, in its discussion of the situation, and in any future action, the Security Council should:
- Urge all international and regional actors, per OP 1 of SCR 2242 (2015) to support the safe and active participation of all members of civil society, including women, in monitoring the post-election security situation as well as in donor and stakeholder meetings at the international, regional and national level;
- Call for more information on the gendered dimensions of the human rights and security situation through systematic reporting and briefings by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN-Women; and
- Call for the engagement of women’s civil society organizations in any violence prevention, early warning and dialogue efforts after the election and failed coup, including a new UN-supported mediation with an envoy.
The situation in Burundi continues to be unstable, with human rights and security rapidly deteriorating as evidenced by heightened violence and increased inflammatory speech by prominent political leaders. Currently, Security Council discussion lacks consideration of the gender dimensions of the situation and key women, peace and security issues, as demonstrated in the recently adopted presidential statement (S/PRST/2015/18), as well as SCR 2248 (2015), adopted on 12 November. SCR 2248 (2015) called upon the Government of Burundi to respect, protect and guarantee all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, to adhere to the rule of law and to ‘undertake transparent accountability for acts of violence.’ The resolution also expressed the intention of the Council ‘to consider additional measures against all Burundian actors whose actions and statements contribute to the perpetuation of violence and impede the search for a peaceful solution.’ The resolution urged the government to convene an inclusive and genuine inter-Burundian dialogue involving all concerned and peaceful stakeholders, but failed to ensure that a gender perspective in any such dialogue is prioritized. The Council must ensure that gender is a cross-cutting issue by taking into account analysis and information on the distinct impact of the crisis on women, men, girls and boys, as well as the roles of women, men, girls and boys. Further, in its discussion of the situation, and in any future action, the Security Council should:
- Urge all international and regional actors, per OP 1 of SCR 2242 (2015) to support the safe and active participation of all members of civil society, including women, in monitoring the post-election security situation as well as in donor and stakeholder meetings at the international, regional and national level;
- Call for more information on the gendered dimensions of the human rights and security situation through systematic reporting and briefings by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN-Women; and
- Call for the engagement of women’s civil society organizations in any violence prevention, early warning and dialogue efforts after the election and failed coup, including a new UN-supported mediation with an envoy.
Relevant Resources
