Commission of Inquiry on Burundi

The Human Rights Council tasked the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi to:

• 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.
• Identify alleged perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses in Burundi with a view to ensuring full accountability.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
  
• Present a final report to the Human Rights Council during an interactive dialogue at its forty-eight session and an oral update at its forty-sixth session.
  
• Present its report to the General Assembly and other relevant international bodies. 
• In its resolution 42/46, the Human Rights Council further asked the Commission of inquiry to deepen its investigations, including into respect for and observance of political, civil, economic and social rights in the electoral context, with particular reference to the economic underpinnings of the State.
  
• In its resolution 45/19, the Human Rights Council asked the Commission to continue its investigations, including with regard to the economic underpinnings of the State.
  

The terms of reference of the Commission are available here.

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.

In the framework of its investigation on the “economic underpinnings of the State” which was mandated by the Human Rights Council (resolution 45/19), the Commission wishes in particular to receive information on breaches of integrity, as set out in the questionnaire linked here in English, French, and Kirundi.

Submissions can be sent in English, French or Kirundi to: coiburundi@ohchr.org. The responses to the questionnaire on integrity can also be sent through the channels indicated on the questionnaire.

The deadline for the submission of information is 30 May 2021.

To be considered, 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 of Inquiry on Burundi ensures its sources the highest level of confidentiality.

Current Commissioners:

• Doudou Diène (Senegal) President of the Commission
• Francoise Hampson (United Kingdom)
• Former Commissioners:
• Lucy Asuagbor (Cameroon)
• Mr. Fatsah Ouguergouz (Algeria), former President
• Reine Alapini Gansou (Benin)

2021

• Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Burundi (A/HRC/48/68)
  Release date: 16 September 2021
  English | French

2020

• Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi 2020 (A/HRC/45/32)
  Release date: 17 September 2020
  Detailed findings of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi French
  Release date: 17 September 2020
  
• Extracts in English of the detailed final report (A/HRC/45/CRP.1) – Sexual violence against men since 2015

2019

• Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi 2019 (A/HRC/42/49)
  Release date: 4 September 2019
  
• Extracts in English of the 2019 detailed final report (A/HRC/42/CRP.2)

2018

• Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi 2018 (A/HRC/39/63)
  Release date: 5 September 2018
• Detailed final report 2018 (French)
  Release date: 12 September 2018
• Outline of the detailed final report (French)
  Release date: 24 September 2018
  
• Extracts in English of the 2018 detailed final report (A/HRC/39/CRP.1)

2017

• Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi 2017 (A/HRC/36/54)
  Release date: 5 September 2017
• Corrigendum 2017 (A/HRC/36/54/Corr.1)
  Release date: 4 October 2017
• Extracts of the report 2017 of the Commission in Kirundi (unofficial translation)
  Release date: 28 September 2017
  
• Detailed final report 2017 (French)
  Release date: 18 September 2017

Burundi: Behind a façade of normalization, grave human rights violations continue, and the democratic space remains closed
16 September 2021
English | French | Kirundi

Burundi: The time has come for President Ndayishimiye to remove the uncertainties surrounding his human rights policy
11 March 2021
English | French

Burundi: New Government, but no progress in sight on the human rights front
17 September 2020
English | French | Kirundi
Webtv broadcast
Infographic English | French | Kirundi

Burundi needs more than a new President to break the cycle of violence, say UN investigators
14 July 2020
English | French
Webtv broadcast

UN Commission of Inquiry on Burundi: The electoral campaign is marred by a spiral of violence and political intolerance
14 May 2020
English | French 

UN Commission of Inquiry on Burundi recalls that transparency, compliance with international standards and humanitarian assistance are essential in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic
10 April 2020
English | French 

Burundi: UN Commission of Inquiry warns that a few months before the elections, the risk of atrocities remains serious
10 March 2020
English | French
Infographic English | French

Burundi: the UN Commission of Inquiry raises red flags at the serious human rights violations committed in the pre-electoral climate
4 September 2019
English | French 

Burundi: Commission of Inquiry calls on Government to open channels of communication
28 September 2018
English | French | Kirundi

Burundi: the Commission of Inquiry is deeply concerned by the freedom of action and the impunity of the Imbonerakure
5 September 2018
English | French | Kirundi

President of Human Rights Council appoints new chairperson of Commission of Inquiry on Burundi
1 February 2018
English | French

Commission calls on Burundian government to put an end to serious human rights violations
29 Sepember 2017
English | French | Kirundi

Burundi: Commission of inquiry calls on the International Criminal Court to investigate possible crimes against humanity
4 September 2017
English | French | Kirundi

All press releases...

Oral briefing of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi
23 September 2021 (English | French)

Oral briefing of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi
11 March 2020 (English | French)

Interactive Dialogue on Burundi, Oral briefing of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi
23 September 2020 (English | French)

Oral briefing of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi Geneva
14 July 2020 (English | French)

The UN Commission of Inquiry on Burundi: An electoral campaign marred by a spiral of violence and political intolerance
14 May 2020  (English / (French)