Resolution 1 (49) on Burundi : Burundi. 07/08/96.
A/51/18,para.30(7). (Decision)

Convention Abbreviation: CERD
Resolution 1 (49) on Burundi

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination,

Recalling that it has more than once called attention to the dangerous nature of the ethnic tension prevailing in Burundi,

Alarmed by recent developments in that country, in particular by the ongoing ethnically-motivated massacres,

Acting under its mandate of urgent procedures aimed at responding to problems requiring immediate attention to prevent serious violations of the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination,

Welcoming the initiatives undertaken so far at the global as well as at the regional level, in particular by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,

Recalling its offers of expertise and assistance for training in human rights for law enforcement officials, law reform and reconstruction of the State,

Urges the Burundian parties to respect the Burundian Constitution, to re-establish democratically elected institutions and the democratic political process, to cooperate closely with democratic institutions, further to design institutions for national dialogue and reconciliation and to respect human rights;

Calls upon all the Burundian parties to cease immediately any massacres and other acts of violence and to cooperate fully with all those who are seeking to bring to an end the vicious cycle of violence;

Urges that measures be adopted to enable the Burundian judicial authorities to conduct an efficient investigation of the massacres and other acts of violence, as crimes against humanity;

Calls upon the Security Council, through the Secretary-General, to reaffirm the determination of the international community to prosecute and punish perpetrators of crimes against humanity, be they officials or private persons, so that there is no impunity for them;

Calls upon all the Burundian parties to cooperate closely with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as with the neighbouring countries, and to provide the refugees and displaced persons with the possibility of returning to their homes of their own free will and in safety;

Urges the international community to provide the necessary funds and logistical support for the repatriation of refugees and displaced persons;

Welcomes the initiative of former President Nyerere of the United Republic of Tanzania, the agreements of the Arusha Regional Summit on Burundi of 25 June 1996 (S/1996/557), now fully endorsed, by the Organization of African Unity, as well as the statements contained in the joint communique of the second Arusha Regional Summit of 31 July 1996;

Supports these regional initiatives and efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive political dialogue between the parties in Burundi, urges the Burundian parties effectively to implement them and reminds all the Burundian parties of their responsibility for restoring peace, stability and justice in Burundi;

Endorses the proposal to dispatch a multinational peace force to Burundi to provide security assistance to prevent another catastrophe that could destabilize the Great Lakes Region of Central Africa and to facilitate a comprehensive political dialogue and reconciliation among the Burundian parties;

Recommends that such a force should receive the financial and logistic support of the United Nations.

1160th meeting
7 August 1996