Interview by Carole Vann/Human Rights Tribune - The main Burundian organisation for human rights, Iteka, has compiled a register of 640 murder cases in Burundi 2007, more than in 2006. This comes as the 9th session of the Human Rights Council is due to decide whether to renew the mandate of the special rapporteur for Burundi. This is the reason why David Nahimana, president of Iteka has come to Geneva to urge member states to allow the UN to continue to keep its eye on Burundi. The interview took place before the final vote of the Council accepting the renewal and modification of the mandate of the special rapporteur on Burundi

Why has Burundi become more violent over the past 2 years ?

The insecurity is due to the numbers of illegal arms in the country. Out of the more than 100,000 weapons in circulation, only 5000 have been handed into the authorities. Our surveys show that 55% of murders were committed with a fire arm, which shows the extent of the problem. Sexual violence between children and women is also on the rise as well as the cases of torture in police cells. In 2008 we registered more than 301 cases of torture and 455 rapes.

Violence is on the rise as purchasing power dramatically tumbles and every sector of the population is struggling financially.

The special rapporteur for Burundi at the Human Rights Council has pointed out the government’s willingness to cooperate with the UN. Burundi even dissociated itself from the other African countries in 2007, asking for the renewal of the special rapporteur’s mandate. This seems to contradict the crackdown on civil liberties that you mention in your report. How can you explain this?

Actually up until the last few months, the government was extremely open towards human rights defenders. The secretary of state even went and met with representatives from civil society last year.

But in spite of the good will of the government, the situation has not improved. It should however be said that even if the armed clashes between rebels and government forces have stopped, implementation of the ceasefire is at a standstill.

And I think that in the run up to the elections in 2010, the authorities don’t want us to continue to criticise their human rights record. This is the reason why the crackdown on human rights defenders is increasing. Recently three members of our own League, Iteka, have been summoned to appear in court following false information broadcast by a local radio station. A journalist and a union representative have been imprisoned without trial.

During the 9th session of the Council, Burundi hesitates a lot over continuing to support the renewing of the mandate of its special rapporteur. Why?

I can only assume that this is due to the geopolitical make up of the Council. If, in neighbouring countries, the DRC for example, the mandate was ended, it is less easy for Burundi to say that it wants to keep its rapporteur. But we are still waiting the position of our governement.

Has the Burundian government taken any concrete measures to check the violence ?

A disarmament commission has been set up but it is not yet operational. The problem in Burundi is that members of Palipehutu-FNL [Parti pour la libération du peuple hutu-Front national de libération] still carry weapons. And lots have been in circulation for more than ten years. As for the sexual violence, a draft of penal code has been presented to the Parliament.

There is talk of setting up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. What do you think of this and what does Burundi expect from the international community?

We can not talk of reconciliation without justice. The victims must be compensated and those responsible punished. We need logistic support and technical assistance so that we can put in place the mechanisms need for transitional justice in order to tackle the problems of impunity which undermine the country.

See also our Flash "New mandate for the Rapporteur on Burundi"