UNHCHR voices concern over regroupment

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, has reiterated concern over the Burundi government’s regroupment policy. In a statement issued on Tuesday, she said the policy “violates the civil and political, as well as the economic, social and cultural rights of the affected population”. Calling for the immediate disbanding of the regroupment camps, she added that all sides in the conflict were obliged, under international humanitarian law, to guarantee safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance to civilians.

In a press statement earlier this week, Burundi’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Marc Nteteruye, recalled that the government implemented the policy most recently in Bujumbura Rural, but also in other areas, to protect the civilian population from rebel attacks and to enable the army to flush out rebels hiding in the villages. As soon as the areas were secure, the population would be allowed home, the statement said.