Commission of Inquiry on Burundi

The Human Rights Council established the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi through resolution 33/24 of 30 September 2016. Its mandate was renewed twice, each time for one additional year by resolution 36/19adopted on 4th October 2017 and by resolution 39/14 adopted on 28 September 2018.

Resolutions 33/24 and 36/19 of the Human Rights Council task the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi to:

1. Conduct a thorough investigation into human rights violations and abuses in Burundi since April 2015, including on their extent and whether they may constitute international crimes, with a view to contributing to the fight against impunity.

2. Identify alleged perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses in Burundi with a view to ensuring full accountability.

3. Formulate recommendations on steps to be taken with a view to guaranteeing that the authors of these violations and abuses, regardless of their affiliation, are held accountable for their acts.

4. Engage with the Burundian authorities and all other stakeholders, in particular United Nations agencies, civil society, refugees, the field presence of the Office of the High Commissioner in Burundi, authorities of the African Union, and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, in order to provide the support and expertise for the immediate improvement of the situation of human rights and the fight against impunity.

5. Present an oral briefing to the Human Rights Council at its thirty-fourth and thirty-fifth sessions, and a final report during an interactive dialogue at its thirty-sixth session.

6. Present its report to the General Assembly and other relevant international bodies.

The terms of reference of the Commission are available here.

 Call for Submissions

The Commission of Inquiry on Burundi invites interested individuals, groups and organisations to submit information and/or documentation on human rights violations and abuses committed in Burundi since April 2015.

The Commission can receive submissions in English, French and Kirundi at: coiburundi@ohchr.org.

The deadline for the submission of information has been extended until 30 June 2019.

All submissions must include the name(s) and contact details of the author(s). Submitting entities/individuals should specify if their submissions, or parts of them, should be treated confidentially. The Commission shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of victims and witnesses.

 Members

Current Commissioners:

1. Doudou Diène (Senegal) President of the Commission

2. Lucy Asuagbor (Cameroon)

3. Francoise Hampson (United Kingdom)

4. Former Commissioners:

5. Mr Fatsah Ouguergouz (Algeria), former President

6. Reine Alapini Gansou (Benin)