« Back to Accord

Human Rights: Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi

Implementations

Human Rights – 2003

In Arusha accord parties committed to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Burundi had ratified Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990.¹ On 4 April 1991, Burundi ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women by Decree — Law No. 1/006, without any reservation.² The African Charter on Human and People’s Rights was ratified by Burundi on 28 July 1989.³ The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights was ratified by Burundi on 9 May 1990.⁴

After the Arusha Agreement, in July 2002, the parliament adopted a draft law on trade union and strike rights for the civil servants.⁵Despite commitment to international human rights treaty, Burundi’s commitment to human rights as provided in the Arusha Accord did not materialize. In fact, there were reports of security forces being involved in political killings, frequent repots of kidnaping and disappearances, continued practice of torture. Excessive forces were used during demonstrations. Domestic violence against women was common.⁶

“In Burundi, guaranteeing children’s rights to protection and play,” UNICEF, accessed February 19, 2013, http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/burundi_61851.html.
United Nations (CEDAW/C/BDI/1), July 3, 2000.
“African Charter of Human Rights,” African Union, http://www.au.int/en/sites/default/files/African%20Charter%20on%20Human%…‘%20Rights.pdf.
“United Nations Treaty Collection, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” United Nations, accessed February 19, 2013, http://treaties.un.org/.
“Burundi: Parliament adopts draft law on civil service trade unions,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, July 5, 2002.
“Country Reports on Human Rights Practices- Burundi 2003,” United States State Department, accessed February 19, 2013, http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2003/27715.htm.

Human Rights – 2004

The United States State Department in its human rights report suggested no arbitrary or political killings involving security forces took place in 2004. There was no report of politically motivated kidnappings. But torture was practiced by CNDD-FDD throughout the year.⁷

“Country Reports on Human Rights Practices- Burundi 2004 & 2005,” United States State Department, accessed February 19, 2013, http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/.

Human Rights – 2005

There was no report of politically motivated kidnappings. But torture was practiced by CNDD-FDD throughout the year. Similarly, there were reports of arbitrary and politically motivated arrests.⁸

Ibid.

Human Rights – 2006

While reduced from the days of the conflict, human rights violations including arbitrary arrest, collective punishment, sexually based violence and extra-judicial killings have continued. Both the military and police forces have been repeatedly implicated by human rights groups. The rates of violation have reduced since the signing of a cease-fire with the FNL, but they are far from over.

While Burundi remains normatively committed various human rights provisions as stipulated in the accord, Burundi’s human rights practice did not improve even after the transitional period was over in 2005.⁹

“Country Reports on Human Rights Practices- Burundi,” United States State Department (2007-2012), accessed February 19, 2013, http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/.