A/HRC/33/37 Contents Page I. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 3 II. Methodology ................................................................................................................................. 4 III. Legal framework ........................................................................................................................... 4 IV. Background to the current crisis……… ........................................................................................ 5 V. Principal findings .......................................................................................................................... 7 A. Arbitrary deprivations of life ................................................................................................ 7 B. Enforced disappearances....................................................................................................... 9 C. Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment ............................. 10 D. Sexual and gender-based violence ........................................................................................ 10 E. Excessive use of force........................................................................................................... 11 F. Arbitrary or unlawful arrests and detention, including mass arrests ..................................... 12 G. Ethnically charged language ................................................................................................. 13 H. Freedom of expression and association ................................................................................ 14 I. Economic and social rights ................................................................................................... 15 J. Burundian refugees and internally displaced persons ........................................................... 16 Failure of domestic accountability mechanisms ............................................................................ 16 A. Lack of an independent judiciary .......................................................................................... 17 B. Truth and Reconciliation Commission ................................................................................. 17 C. National Human Rights Commission ................................................................................... 17 D. National commissions of inquiry .......................................................................................... 18 E. Lack of meaningful cooperation with the international human rights system ...................... 18 F. International crimes .............................................................................................................. 19 Conclusions and recommendations ............................................................................................... 20 A. Conclusions .......................................................................................................................... 20 B. Recommendations................................................................................................................. 22 VI. VII. 2