Prosecution of war crimes in Burundi

17.10.2014

Question for written answer E-008111-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
Seb Dance (S&D)

On 13 August 2004 a brutal massacre took place at the Gatumba refugee camp in Burundi. Over 160 people — half of them children — were shot, hacked or burned to death by Hutu extremists linked to the 1994 genocide in neighbouring Rwanda.

Despite agreeing almost a decade ago to establish an internationally supported special court to prosecute those responsible for this and the many other atrocities committed in Burundi, the Burundian Government has failed to act on its promise.

Given that the Commission is one of the largest aid donors to the Burundian Government, what, if anything, is the EU doing to press the Burundian Government to keep its promise to establish a special court to prosecute those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, as envisaged in UN Security Council Resolution 1606 (2005)? What else is it doing to press the Burundian Government to keep its promise to deliver justice over Gatumba and other atrocities?