Human rights situation in Burundi continues to deteriorate: UNHCR

The human rights situation in Burundi continues to deteriorate, with at least 96 people killed since the beginning of election-related violence in late-April, the spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) Ravina Shamdasani told a press briefing on Friday here in the UN Office at Geneva.

According to the spokesperson, at least 600 people have been arrested and detained during this period, and there have been at least 60 cases of torture and many more cases of other ill-treatment in police and intelligence detention facilities.

Many of these detainees have been in pre-trial detention well beyond the time limits stipulated by law, the spokesperson said, adding that the actual numbers of persons killed, detained or tortured may be much higher.

"Over the past two weeks, at least seven members of the ruling CNDD-FDD party have been killed by unidentified assailants. Such attacks are indicative of a climate of reprisals, but also a worrying sign that some parts of the opposition are increasingly resorting to violence," the spokesperson noted.

"UNHCR has documented that more than 181,000 people have sought refuge in neighboring countries. Commercial activities have reduced and as a result, there is increasing unemployment and the health sector is also suffering from supply shortages," the spokesperson added.

According to UNHCR, so far no trials have taken place in relation to the violence, killings, torture and ill-treatment since April, although the authorities have repeatedly indicated that investigations are under way and that some police elements have been arrested. Endit