Commission of Inquiry on Burundi

The Human Rights Council has established the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi through resolution 33/24 of 30 September 2016. The Commission has a one-year mandate

Resolution 33/24 of the Human Rights Council tasks 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 its report to the General Assembly and other relevant international bodies. 

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.

The Commission can receive submissions in English, French and Kirundi at: coiburundi@ohchr.org.

The deadline for the submission of information has been extended until 30 June 2018.

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 shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of victims and witnesses.

The Commission is composed of:

• Fatsah Ouguergouz (Algeria) President of the Commission
• Reine Alapini Gansou (Benin)
• Francoise Hampson (United Kingdom)

Detailed final report (French)

Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi (A/HRC/36/54)

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

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

Burundi : Persistence of serious human rights violations in a climate of widespread fear
English / French
15 June 2017

Commission of Inquiry calls for the cooperation of Government and all stakeholders
English / French
27 January 2017

President of Human Rights Council appoints Members of Commission of Inquiry on Burundi
22 November 2016

Oral Briefing by Fatsah Ouguergouz, Chair of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi
19 September 2017 (English / French)

Oral presentation by Mr. Fatsah Ouguergouz to the Human Rights Council,
15 June 2017 ( English / French)

Oral presentation by Mr. Fatsah Ouguergouz to the Human Rights Council,
13 March 2017 (English / French )

Commission of Inquiry on Burundi
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland 

Email: coiburundi@ohchr.org
Phone: +41 22 927 97 10

This Webpage is also available in French.