EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: AFR 16/07/91

Distr: UA/SC

17 December 1991

Further information on UA 435/91 (AFR 16/06/91, 11 December 1991) - Extrajudicial Executions/Legal Concern and new concern Torture

BURUNDI:Isidore Ciiza, a farmer and taxi operator

Maria Mawazo (f), wife of Isidore Ciiza

Nduwimana, 5-year boy ) Isidore Ciiza's

Anita, 4-year old boy ) children

Guillaume, an 8-months old boy )

Goretti (f), a 6-year old girl )

Generose (f), Isidore Ciiza's 18-year old housemaid

Isidore Ciiza was arrested on 9 December 1991 in Cibitoke zone of Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. His arrest took place as he returned from Muzinda, 15 kilometres from Bujumbura, with his second wife, following the extrajudicial execution of all the other six members of his household around 26 November 1991. He was arrested on the orders of a government official.

Amnesty International has learnt that he is currently held in a cell at the headquarters of the Brigade spéciale de recherche (BSR), Special Investigation Brigade, in Bujumbura. He is reported to have been subjected to severe beatings and torture under interrogation. It has been reported that he has sustained two broken ribs and that his legs are swollen at the ankles. He is not known to have received medical care for the injuries. Since the beginning in July 1991 of the current spate of arrests, detainees held by the BSR are reported to have been tortured and subjected to other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

Amnesty International is concerned about both the physical and psychological welfare of Isidore Ciiza. He is being held in custody without charge or trial and has reportedly been subjected to severe ill-treatment in addition to soldiers having extrajudicially executed most members of his household. Amnesty International is also concerned that he may be held solely because he is member of the Hutu ethnic group who are of high social standing.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Telegrams/Telexes/express and airmail letters in FRENCH if possible:

- expressing concern about the physical and psychological welfare of Isidore Ciiza as a result of his continuing detention without charge or trial and reported severe ill-treatment since 9 December 1991, in addition to having had most members of his household executed extrajudicially by members of the Burundi armed forces;

- asking for assurances that Isidore Ciiza is no longer being ill-treated and that he is being allowed to receive adequate medical care;

- expressing concern that members of the Brigade spéciale de recherche (BSR), Special Investigation Brigade, are reported to have been responsible for torture and other forms of ill-treatment in recent months and that the authorities do not seem to have taken any action to bring an end to human rights violations, including torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, by the BSR;

- urging the authorities to order an independent and impartial investigation into allegations that Isidore Ciiza and other detainees have been subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment by the BSR and other security services, and to bring those found to be responsible to justice and compensate the victims;

Page 2 of FU 435/91

- urging the authorities to ensure that if Isidore Ciiza is being held solely because of his ethnic origin and social status he is released without delay, and that if recognizably criminal charges are to be brought against him he is referred to the procuracy with a view to bringing him promptly to trial.

APPEALS TO:

1. President:

Son Excellence Monsieur le Président / Dear President

Major Pierre Buyoya Président de la République

Présidence de la République

BP 1870,

Bujumbura, République du Burundi

Telegrams: President Buyoya, Bujumbura, Burundi

Telexes: 5039 presibu bdi or 5049 mnd bdi

2. Prime Minister:

Monsieur Adrien Sibomana Monsieur le Premier Ministre / Premier Ministre et Dear Prime Minister

Ministre de la Planification

Présidence de la République

BP 1870

Bujumbura, République du Burundi

Telegrams: Premier Ministre Sibomana, Bujumbura, Burundi

Telexes: 5039 presibu bdi

3. Minister of Justice:

Monsieur Sébastien Ntahuga Ministre Ntahuga / Dear Minister Ministre de la Justice

Ministère de la Justice

BP 1880

Bujumbura, République du Burundi

Telegrams: Ministre Ntahuga, Bujumbura, Burundi

Telexes: via Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 5065 minirext, attn Ministre Ntahuga

COPIES TO:

Minister of the Interior:

Monsieur Libère Bararunyeretse

Ministre de l'Intérieur et du Développement des collectivités locales

Ministère de l'Intérieur, BP 1910

Bujumbura, République du Burundi

Minister of Foreign Affairs:

Monsieur Cyprien Mbonimpa

Ministre des Relations extérieures et de la Coopération

Ministère des Relations extérieures

BP 1840

Bujumbura, République du Burundi

General Administrator of National Security:

Monsieur Laurent Niyonkuru

Administrateur Général de la Sûreté nationale

Ministère de la Défense nationale

Bujumbura, République du Burundi

Newspaper Editor:

Monsieur le Rédacteur-en-Chef

Le Renouveau

BP 2870, Bujumbura,

République du Burundi

President of Human Rights Organization:

Monsieur Eugène Nindorera

Président

Ligue burundaise des droits de l'homme

BP 177

Bujumbura

République du Burundi

and to diplomatic representatives of Burundi in your country

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 27 January 1992.