Minister says those who condemn should help end violence

Burundi’s Education Minister Prosper Mpawenayo told Radio France Internationale that during an armed conflict, “it is difficult to talk about human rights”. “It is obvious that both parties involved in the conflict will commit murders and destroy property and equipment, so there is a constant violation of human rights,” he said. “I think those who condemn the violation of rights in Burundi should help the Burundian people put an end to the violence.”

On Wednesday, IRIN quoted a government statement as saying Keita’s findings were “one-sided and partial”, and accused her of not yet knowing enough about the country. “She should not lose herself in sensationalism which defies reality and promotes the genocidal terrorists,” the statement said. It further denied the non-segregation of male and female prisoners and blamed the rebels “who are killing civilians on ethnic and ideological grounds” for human rights violations.