Amnesty International tasks UN Security Council on country's crisis

dimeji akinloye

November 11, 2015 2:05 AM

Sarah Jackson, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East Africa, made the call in a statement issued in New York.

Residents look on as police and soldiers guard a voting station in Burundi's capital Bujumbura during the country's presidential elections, July 21, 2015. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

Amnesty International on Tuesday asked the UN Security Council to take decisive action to resolve the ongoing political and human rights crisis in Burundi.

The Human Right Group also stressed the need for the Security Council to call on Burundian authorities to end the crisis, address human rights concerns and ensure the safety of the people.

Sarah Jackson, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East Africa, made the call in a statement issued in New York.

She said that allowing independent human rights observers into the country and protecting residents from further violence, were key ingredients to quelling the current unrest in Burundi.

She said that violence had continued in the capital, Bujumbura, with daily reports of extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests, torture and other ill-treatment.

"Nine men, including a UNDP employee were reportedly killed in a shooting in a bar in the capital on Saturday.

"On Friday, the son of a leading human rights defender, Pierre Mbonimpa was found dead after being arrested by police," Jackson said.

Hundreds of Burundians died in the 2015 unrest, which began in April with protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza’s plans to seek a third term in office.

Residents are reported to be fleeing as the authorities conduct house to house searches in neighbor hoods of Bujumbura suspected to be opposition stronghold.

dimeji akinloye