“Significant” increase in torture - Amnesty

The London-based rights group, Amnesty International, has expressed concern over the “significant increase” in cases of torture and unlawful detention in Burundi. “Since the Forces nationales de libération (FNL), National Liberation Forces, attacked and occupied parts of the capital, Bujumbura, in late February and early March, there has been a noticeable escalation of torture by members of the Burundian security forces,” it stated in a report issued this week. “All detainees, including children, are vulnerable to torture and ill-treatment in the early stages of detention by the military or gendarmerie in Burundi. This risk is increased if they are held incommunicado or accused of a political offence, such as suspicion of participation or collaboration with an armed opposition group.” The report urged Burundian President Pierre Buyoya and other top civilian and security force authorities to “intervene immediately” and put an end to “further torture, deaths in custody, and ‘disappearances’”. For more details go to: http://www.amnesty.org