A United Nations commission has urged the International Criminal Court to investigate possible crimes against humanity in Burundi, saying it had compiled a list of alleged perpetrators of violence during the country’s two-year crisis.
The UN Commission of Inquiry on Burundi said it has reasonable grounds to believe that “serious human-rights violations and abuses” have been committed in the East African country.
The country descended into conflict in April 2015 following President Pierre Nkurunziza’s declaration that he would seek a controversial third mandate, one which he went on to win in the July 2015 poll.
The country’s opposition criticized that decision, saying it was against the constitution.
According to the commission, the abuses that occurred in Burundi include torture, extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances and rape.
It said it had come up with a “non-exhaustive list of alleged perpetrators of these crimes against humanity, together with information on certain acts they allegedly committed or ordered,” although this won’t be published in order to respect the presumption of innocence and protect witnesses.”
Since the eruption of the violence, hundreds have been killed and more that 400,000 forced to flee their homes.
