Rights groups to UN: Impose sanctions on Burundi officials

Published March 17, 2017

Nearly 20 human rights groups are urging the United Nations Security Council to impose targeted sanctions against officials accused of gross human rights violations in Burundi.

The 19 organizations include Human Rights Watch and the International Federation of Human Rights.

In a letter sent to the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday, they say "some intelligence, army and police agents ... had been killing, torturing, beating innocent people including those fleeing to the neighboring countries in all impunity." The letter says they were aided by members of the youth wing of the ruling party.

Burundi has been in violent political turmoil since President Pierre Nkurunziza in 2015 successfully pursued a third term that many called unconstitutional. Hundreds have died and nearly 500,000 people have fled the country.

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