UN staff designated to investigate human rights violations in Burundi News
UN staff designated to investigate human rights violations in Burundi

[JURIST] The President of the UN Human Rights Council, Ambassador Choi Kyonglim [official profile], on Tuesday announced [press release] that the UN commission investigating human rights violations in Burundi is to be staffed by Fatsah Ouguergouz of Algeria, Reina Alapini Gansu of Benin and Francoise Hampson [official profiles] of the UK. Established by Resolution 33/24 [text] in September, the Human Rights Council endowed this commission to investigate all rights abuses since April, 2015, with an eye on ensuring full accountability.

Violence in Burundi began in the wake of Nkurunziza’s announcement that he would seek a third term of office, to which he was elected [JURIST report] last year. In September the UN Independent Investigation in Burundi expressed their grave concern [JURIST report] about the current human rights situation in Burundi. In October, Burundi withdrew [JURIST report] from the International Criminal Court amid an investigation into human rights abuses. And earlier this month the International Federation of Human Rights urged the UN [JURIST report] and African Union to intervene and stop an impending genocide in Burundi.

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