BURUNDI-RWANDA: Amnesty cautions Bujumbura over executions

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

NAIROBI, 2 Mar 2004 (IRIN) - Amnesty International has expressed concern over the prospect of renewed judicial executions in Burundi, following a speedy trial of four Rwandan men over a bank robbery that took place on 29 January in the capital, Bujumbura.

In a statement, Amnesty said on Monday that the Rwandans were at imminent risk of execution. The men were tried on 23 February over the bank robbery during which one person died and a large amount of money stolen.

"Arrested on 31 January, the men were initially detained incommunicado at the Brigade spéciale de recherche, a gendarmerie special investigation unit, where they were reportedly badly beaten," Amnesty reported. "Following the men's arrest, a Bujumbura gendarmerie commander called for an example to be made of the men to deter others."

Amnesty said that on 26 February, Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye reportedly told journalists that an example should be made, and that the four Rwandans were not the only ones who would be subjected to this punishment, "raising fears that the verdict and outcome of any subsequent appeals is a foregone conclusion, and that further executions may follow".

It added: "Burundi may well be closer to peace now than at any time in the last 10 years. To begin a new era with executions after unfair trials sends a very negative - and violent - message that undermines government claims to be committed to human rights. Furthermore, executions fly in the face of the worldwide trend towards abolition."

The state public prosecutor has requested the death penalty in the Rwandans' case, Amnesty reported. "It is highly unusual for a trial to take place so soon after arrest in Burundi. The verdict is expected imminently," Amnesty added.

"The President should uphold respect for human rights in Burundi, where no executions have been carried out since 2000," Amnesty said. It urged Ndayizeye to honour his party's commitment to abolition of the death penalty.

Amnesty reported that at least 450 people were still under sentence of death in Burundi. Many were convicted after grossly unfair trials and without the possibility to appeal, it said. In October 2000, two members of the Burundian armed forces were executed after a summary trial in which they were denied legal assistance. The two were not allowed to appeal against their sentence, Amnesty said.

"The use of the death penalty legitimises violence," Amnesty said. "Executing an offender cannot restore lives lost or diminish the loss to victims or their families; its only function is institutionalised revenge."

[ENDS]