Ambassador Severin Ntahomvukiye
Embassy of the Republic of Burundi
2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 212
Washington, DC 20007

Dear Ambassador:

I wish to express my deep concern regarding the apparent extrajudicial execution of the twelve people named below in the Karunga district of Bujumbura Rural province on 7 July 1997:

Nkiobanynka (female), age 65 Serge Ntibazahoruri (male), age 30
Venerande Zigirabarya (female), age 28 Ciza (male), age 12
Constance (female), age 25 Innocent Havyarimana (male), age 6
Seraphine Nyandwi (female), age 23 Butoyi (male), age 4
Rose Bucumi (female), age 15 Izidoni Ntakhomvkiyi (male), age 2
Jeanette (female), age 4 Ancilla (female), age 1 month

All were killed by members of the Burundi armed forces. Seven of the victims were children, the youngest being only one month old.

It is my understanding that soldiers from Rushubi made two visits to the Karunga district on 7 July. During those visits, they shot or bayoneted to death these twelve people -- all civilians -- and seriously wounded at least four others. The soldiers continued their attacks over a period of two days, so it is likely that even more people were killed or injured. Reportedly many homes were burned and hundreds of people displaced. Apparently these attacks may have been made in retaliation against the civilian population after two soldiers were injured on 6 July when a mine explosion hit a military truck.

Please understand that my concern regarding the events of 7 July is not in any way political. However, it is my understanding that military forces in Burundi frequently make little or no effort to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants during their counter-insurgency operations. Victims of attacks by government forces frequently include innocent civilians, many of them children, who could not possibly be suspected of being members of the armed opposition.

I am very concerned that this is what happened in the Karunga district of Bujumbura Rural province on 7 July. Therefore, I strongly urge that your government conduct a full and impartial investigation into the attacks and ensure that anyone found responsible for killing innocent civilians be held accountable for their crimes.

I also believe it is imperative that the Burundi government take immediate practical steps to prevent further human rights violations, including those carried out during counter-insurgency operations. Your government should make it clear that it will not tolerate human rights violations under any conditions and will prosecute those who commit them to the full extent of the law. Such atrocities should never be tolerated or sanctioned by any government.

I trust you will convey my concerns to your government immediately. Thank you.

Respectfully yours,