<<previous  |  index  |  next>>

Recommendations

To the Government of Burundi, the FDD and the FNL:

• Order the forces under your command to immediately begin observing provisions of international humanitarian law, particularly those regarding treatment of civilians and access of humanitarian agencies in conflict zones.

• Bring to justice or otherwise hold accountable forces under your command that have committed violations of international humanitarian law.

To the Government of Burundi: 

• In conjunction with ONUB, UNICEF, and the national office for the demobilization of child soldiers, ensure the demobilization of all child soldiers in the Burundian armed forces and the various armed groups, including the FDD, now joined with it, and ensure this will be done within the framework of the national program of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR).

• Screen all Burundian army soldiers and former rebel combatants set to join the new Burundian National Defense Forces to ensure that no one who is apparently implicated in serious violations of international humanitarian law is included in the new force.

To the United Nations Security Council:

• Ensure that ONUB execute fully its mandate to protect civilians throughout Burundi, providing adequate resources for it to do so. Direct the ONUB human rights unit to closely monitor all serious violations of international humanitarian law, including in Bujumbura rural and any areas where combat continues, and to periodically and publicly report its findings.