A/HRC/10/71
page 6
20. France expressed concern that there is no independent and effective body to address
impunity of soldiers, civil servants or non-State actors for acts of sexual violence against women.
France noted that press freedom was a major accomplishment of the post-conflict transition, but
was concerned by the recent arrest of journalists. Despite improvements with the help of the
International Committee of the Red Cross, the prison infrastructure is unsatisfactory, and raised
concerns about the sanitary and medical conditions in detention. France recommended that
Burundi take all necessary measures to ban secret places of detention, particularly by envisaging
the signing and ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons
from Enforced Disappearance. While noting that the principle of gender equality is written in the
Constitution, the absence of laws governing inheritance, matrimony and bequests leaves a gap in
this regard. France recommended that Burundi adopt legislation guaranteeing equality between
men and women, particularly in the area of family and inheritance law. France expressed great
concern at the recent crimes against albinos in Burundi, and recommended that Burundi
strengthen measures to raise awareness on the situation of these people to prevent such acts and
ensure material assistance to victims. Noting that the new Constitution guarantees the protection
of children in periods of armed conflict, France recommended that Burundi increase its efforts to
contribute to the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of children involved in armed
conflict. France assured the Government of its full support in all of its development activities.
21. The Sudan noted the Government’s cooperation with the United Nations in the activities of
the United Nations Operation in Burundi and the signing of the memorandum of agreement with
the United Nations on a technical cooperation programme in the field of human rights. While
noting that the rights of the child are well protected by the Government, the Sudan stated that the
international community should help Burundi to provide assistance to children affected by
HIV/AIDS, women and for eliminating poverty. It asked Burundi to share its best practices with
regard to the protection of the rights of victims through commissions set up to address
socio-economic reintegration, land and other property issues.
22. Luxembourg noted that, despite efforts, there are still concerns, especially with regard to
sexual violence, HIV/AIDS orphans and war. It asked the Government about its strategy to stop
the recruitment of child soldiers. Luxembourg recommended that Burundi (a) train law
enforcement officials better to ensure that perpetrators of sexual violence are prosecuted in a
more severe and consequent manner; (b) follow the recommendations of the Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination against Women to guarantee appropriate compensation and
support and assistance measures for victims of sexual violence; and (c) set up hosting and
reintegration structures for HIV/AIDS orphans. Noting improvements in health care,
Luxembourg stated that the right to health has not been guaranteed for the majority of the
population and (d) recommended that Burundi progressively increase its budgetary allocations to
health in order to try to reach the 15 per cent target set by the Heads of States of the African
Union in the African Strategy for Health 2007-2015.
23. Germany shared the concern expressed by the independent expert about the high number
of arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances. It enquired whether the Government would
consider technical cooperation to help train police and other officers. Germany recommended
that the Government give clear and immediate instructions to key high-ranking officials of the
police force, the army and other security forces that all law enforcement officials should treat
rape as a crime and take all measures to effectively investigate allegations of rape and other
forms of sexual violence, and that it bring perpetrators to justice.
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