Burundi
Mine Ban Policy
Commitment to the Mine Ban Treaty
|
Mine Ban Treaty status |
State Party |
|
National implementation measures |
Law No.1/30 entered into force on 10 October 2008 |
|
Transparency reporting |
30 April 2010 |
|
Key developments |
More than 100 antipersonnel mines were turned in during a civilian disarmament program |
Policy
The Republic of Burundi signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997 and ratified it on 22 October 2003, becoming a State Party on 1 April 2004.
A national implementation law, Law No. 1/30, was passed by the legislature in September 2008, and took effect on 10 October 2008.[1] It includes penal sanctions against the use of antipersonnel mines.[2]
Burundi did not submit its Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 report due 30 April 2011. It has submitted six previous reports.[3]
In November–December 2010, Burundi participated in the Tenth Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty in Geneva. Burundi also attended the intersessional Standing Committee meetings in Geneva in 2011. It made statements on victim assistance and mine clearance at both meetings.
Burundi is not party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons.
Production, transfer, use, and stockpiling
Burundi has stated that it has never produced antipersonnel mines.[4] It is not known to have exported antipersonnel mines.
Since the Mine Ban Treaty entered into force for Burundi on 1 April 2004, there have been no confirmed instances of use of antipersonnel mines by the army.[5] There have been no confirmed instances of use of antipersonnel mines by rebel forces since May 2006, when negotiations to end hostilities began. Prior to May 2006, the government accused the National Forces of Liberation (Forces Nationales de Libération, FNL) of sporadic mine use.[6]
Burundi completed the destruction of its stockpile of antipersonnel mines on 17 March 2008, ahead of its treaty-mandated deadline of 1 April 2008. It destroyed a total of 664 mines, including 591 POMZ-2M and 73 TS-50 mines.[7] The 664 mines destroyed exceeded the 610 reported as stockpiled as of April 2007.[8]
In June 2010, Burundi confirmed it was retaining two POMZ-2M and two TS-50 mines for training purposes.[9]
During a civilian disarmament campaign from July–October 2009, 28 antipersonnel mines were surrendered by the population and subsequently destroyed by Mines Advisory Group (MAG).[10] Burundi later reported that its police forces recovered another 76 antipersonnel mines during the civilian disarmament campaign. The mines were destroyed with technical assistance from MAG on 16 June 2010.[11]
MAG also continued to report the discovery and destruction of previously unknown stocks of antipersonnel mines.[12] From April–May 2010, MAG reported the collection of three antipersonnel mines in its work to remove and destroy surplus small arms and light weapons in Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rural, and Cibitoke provinces in western Burundi.[13]
[1] Statement of Burundi, Ninth Meeting of States Parties, Mine Ban Treaty, Geneva, 24 November 2008.
[2] Law No. 1/30 on the national implementation of the 1997 Ottawa Convention. Those prosecuted for breaking this law will face either a prison sentence of between five and 15 years, a fine ranging from BIF5,000,000 to BIF15,000,000 (US$4,150 to $12,450), or both. In cases where a mine has caused fatalities, anybody convicted of breaking this law would face a life sentence. In addition, the law indicates national procedures to submit Article 7 reports and to report on mine action, mine risk education, and victim assistance activities. Average exchange rate for 2009: BIF1=US$0.00083. Oanda, www.oanda.com.
[3] Previous reports were submitted on 30 April 2010 (covering the period from 30 April 2009 to 30 April 2010), 30 April 2009, 1 July 2008 (covering the two-year period from 30 April 2006 to 30 April 2008), 30 April 2006, 9 August 2005, and 8 November 2004. The November 2004 report is not posted on the UN website, but the Monitor has a copy.
[4] Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form E, 8 November 2004; and Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form E, 9 August 2005.
[5] The Monitor reported credible allegations of use of antipersonnel mines by both government and rebel forces in the past, see Landmine Monitor Report 2004, pp. 234–237. Burundi officials denied allegations against government forces.
[6] See Landmine Monitor Report 2006, pp. 234–235.
[7] Twelve of the POMZ-2M mines were from former rebel National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (Conseil National pour la Défense de la Démocratie-Forces pour la Défense de la Démocratie) stocks, and the rest were from army stocks. After stockpile destruction in 2008 and 2009, Burundi stated that the total number of mines held by the FNL, the last remaining rebel group, remained to be confirmed. The FNL and the government signed a Cessation of Hostilities Agreement on 26 May 2008. In April 2009, FNL combatants began demobilization and the surrender of weapons to the African Union Special Task Force. There have been no reports of antipersonnel mines being handed in. See Landmine Monitor Report 2009, pp. 230–231.
[8] Statement of Burundi, Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, Geneva, 23 April 2007. In this statement, Burundi informed States Parties that, after reviewing its mine inventory, it concluded that it had 610 antipersonnel mines in stock, and not the 1,212 previously declared on several occasions.
[9] Statement of Burundi, Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, Geneva, 21 June 2010; and Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form D, 30 April 2010. In October–November 2010, MAG trained four Civilian Defence Staff in demining to EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) level 1 certification. It is not known if the retained mines were a part of this training.
[10] The campaign was run by the Burundian National Commission for Civilian Disarmament and Against the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons. The mines were all POMZ-2Ms. See Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form B, 30 April 2010; email from Julie Claveau, Country Program Manager, MAG, 10 February 2010; “Burundians hand in thousands of weapons,” IRIN, 4 November 2009, www.irinnews.org; and UN Integrated Mission in Burundi, “Burundi Désarmement. La population continue à remettre volontairement les armes” (“Burundi Disarmament. The population continues to voluntarily hand in weapons”), 25 July 2009, www.binub.turretdev.com.
[11] Statement of Burundi, Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, Geneva, 21 June 2010. The mines were reported as 55 TS-50; eight PMA-2; six POMZ-2M; and seven igniters, and were destroyed in Mudubugu. See also Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form B, 30 April 2010.
[12] Email from Julie Claveau, MAG, 10 February 2010. Burundi reported that in April 2009 a cache of 41 TS-50 antipersonnel mines was discovered in the village of Mabayi, Cibitoke province. It said the mines were being held for the time being by MAG, which indicated that the mines were subsequently destroyed. Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Forms B and D, 30 April 2009; and email from Julie Claveau, MAG, 3 August 2009.
[13] MAG, “MAG Burundi Programme Update 01 April–31 May 2010,” www.maginternational.org.
Cluster Munition Ban Policy
Commitment to the Convention on Cluster Munitions
|
Convention on Cluster Munitions status |
State Party |
|
Participation in Convention on Cluster Munitions meetings |
Attended Second Meeting of States Parties in Lebanon in September 2011, intersessional meetings in Geneva in April 2012, and regional conference in Accra, Ghana in May 2012 |
|
Key developments |
Preparing national implementation legislation |
Policy
The Republic of Burundi signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions on 3 December 2008 and ratified on 25 September 2009. It was among the first 30 ratifications to trigger the convention’s entry into force on 1 August 2010.
In May 2012, a government official informed a regional conference on cluster munitions that a group has been convened to draft legislation to enforce implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.[1] Previously, in 2010, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official stated that a drafting committee would be established to prepare legislation on national implementation measures.[2]
Burundi submitted its initial Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 report in early 2011.[3] As 1 June 2012, Burundi had yet to submit its annual updated Article 7 report, which was due by 30 April 2012.
Burundi participated in the Oslo Process that led to the creation of the convention, including the formal negotiations in Dublin in May 2008 where it supported a comprehensive ban on cluster munitions.[4]
Burundi has continued to actively engage in the work of the Convention on Cluster Munitions in 2011 and the first half of 2012. Burundi participated in the convention’s Second Meeting of States Parties in Beirut, Lebanon in September 2011 where it called for greater attention to victim assistance.[5] Burundi also attended the convention’s intersessional meetings in Geneva in April 2012, but did not make any statements.
Burundi participated in the Accra Regional Conference on the Universalization of the Convention on Cluster Munitions in May 2012, where it committed to spare no effort to promote universalization of the convention.[6]
In March 2012, Burundi expressed its views on certain important issues related to the interpretation and implementation of the convention. According to a Ministry of Public Security official, Burundi considers assistance with prohibited acts in joint military operations to be prohibited by the convention. Likewise, Burundi considers the transit and foreign stockpiling of cluster munitions on or across the territories of States Parties to be prohibited, along with investment in cluster munition production.[7]
Burundi is party to the Mine Ban Treaty.
Burundi is not a party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW), but it attended the CCW’s Fourth Review Conference in Geneva in November 2011 as an observer. Burundi did not actively engage in the CCW negotiations on a draft protocol on cluster munitions during the Review Conference, which ended without reaching agreement on the draft protocol, thus concluding the CCW’s work on cluster munitions.
Use, production, transfer, and stockpiling
Burundi has stated that is has never used, produced, stockpiled, or transferred cluster munitions.[8] Burundi has reported that it has no stockpile of cluster munitions, including for training.[9]
[1] Statement of Burundi, Accra Regional Conference on the Universalization of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, Accra, 29 May 2012, http://www.clusterconvention.org/files/2012/06/Session-II_Statement-Burundi.pdf.
[2] Email from Côme Niyongabo, HI, following a telephone interview with Fabien Ndayishimiye, Legal Advisor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 3 August 2010.
[3] Burundi submitted its initial Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 report in early 2011. The report is undated, does not indicate the reporting period, and is comprised of a statement, not completed forms. Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, 2011.
[4] For details on Burundi’s cluster munition policy and practice through early 2009, see Human Rights Watch and Landmine Action, Banning Cluster Munitions: Government Policy and Practice (Ottawa: Mines Action Canada, May 2009), pp. 49–50.
[5] Statement of Burundi, Convention on Cluster Munitions Second Meeting of States Parties, Beirut, 14 September 2011. Notes by CMC.
[6] Statement of Burundi, Accra Regional Conference on the Universalization of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, Accra, 29 May 2012, http://www.clusterconvention.org/files/2012/06/Session-II_Statement-Burundi.pdf.
[7] Response to Monitor questionnaire from Denis Gahiru, Director General, Civil Protection and Humanitarian Action Against Mines and Explosive Remnants of War, Ministry of Public Security, 20 March 2012.
[8] Statement of Burundi, Convention on Cluster Munitions First Meeting of States Parties, Vientiane, 10 November 2010, notes by AOAV; and Statement of Burundi, Convention on Cluster Munitions Intersessional Meetings, Geneva, 29 June 2011.
[9] Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, 2011.
Mine Action
Contamination and Impact
Mines
Burundi appears to have a small residual problem of antipersonnel mines, the legacy of more than a decade of internal conflict. In June 2011, Burundi reported that survey by the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) confirmed 11 hazardous areas in two provinces in the northeast of the country. Most of the contamination is from explosive remnants of war (ERW) and affects electricity pylons. Clearance was expected to be completed by October 2011.[1] Major clearance operations involving international NGOs DanChurchAid (DCA) and the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) were completed in 2008.
In November 2009, Burundi reported that contamination was suspected in four provinces in the northwest of the country: Bubanza, Cibitoke, Muramvya, and Bujumbura Rural.[2] In July–September 2010, MAG worked together with the Humanitarian Department for Mine/Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Action (Direction de l’Action Humanitaire contre les Mines et Engins non explosés, DAHMI) to jointly conduct non-technical survey (NTS) of a total of 96 suspected hazardous areas (SHAs) in the five provinces of Bubanza, Cibitoke, Kayanza, Makamba, and Muramvya.[3] MAG confirmed mine and UXO contamination in 10 SHAs around the park. The team also investigated five SHAs in Makamba province along the border with Tanzania. In total, the survey confirmed contamination in a total of 12 areas. In one of the confirmed hazardous areas, a mine was cleared immediately by the MAG-Civil Defense mobile team.[4]
MAG has obtained funding from the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs to support clearance of the remaining contaminated areas. Training of a team from the Civil Defense staff started in March 2011.[5]
MAG’s NTS, however, covered only suspected areas identified by DAHMI around Kibira park and in some entry paths; it did not include the park itself, which is a National Reserve and therefore a protected area. The park, which is not inhabited and is uncultivated, may therefore also contain contamination.[6]
At the Eleventh Meeting of States Parties, Burundi declared that it had completed its Article 5 obligations but subsequently reported at the 2012 intersessional Standing Committee meetings that it still had suspected mined areas to release.
Explosive remnants of war
The precise extent of ERW contamination is not known, although MAG has regularly encountered ERW.[7] Burundi has previously indicated that an ERW threat might exist within the Kibira and Rukoko national parks.[8] Burundi is not believed to be affected by cluster munition remnants.[9]
Mine Action Program
Key institutions and operators
|
Body |
Situation on 1 January 2012 |
|
National Mine Action Authority |
General Directorate for Civil Protection |
|
Mine action center |
DAHMI |
|
International demining operators |
MAG |
|
National demining operators |
Armed forces; and Civil Protection demining team |
Mine action in Burundi is under the authority of the General Directorate for Civil Protection, which is located within the Ministry of Public Security. On 15 May 2009, DAHMI was officially set up under the same ministry, marking the end of active UNDP support. DAHMI is responsible for the coordination of mine action activities.[10]
Land Release
There has been little clearance in Burundi since DCA and FSD closed their programs in 2008, although MAG has been assisting Burundi to fulfill its Article 5 obligations. MAG has been the only international clearance capacity since 2009. In October–November 2010, MAG trained four Civil Protection staff in demining to explosive ordnance disposal level 1 certification.[11]
Survey in 2011–2012
A survey of SHAs around electricity pylons started in October 2012 under MAG authority. As of late November, no antipersonnel mines had been identified.[12]
Mine clearance in 2011
A Civil Protection demining team, with technical support from MAG, destroyed 12 antipersonnel mines between April and November 2011.[13]
Compliance with Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty
Under Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty, Burundi is required to destroy all antipersonnel mines in mined areas under its jurisdiction or control as soon as possible, but not later than 1 April 2014. Burundi has made significant progress in addressing its mine problem since international NGOs initiated clearance operations in 2005, although as of late 2012 a small residual threat appeared to still exist.
[1] Statement of Burundi, Mine Ban Treaty Standing Committee on Mine Action, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 21 June 2011.
[2] Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), “Burundi: Synthese d’informations de l’action contre les mines et les restes explosifs de guerre - dont sous-munitions” (“Burundi: Overview of information on mine action and ERW - including submunitions”), Second African Francophone Seminar on Mine and ERW Action, Dakar, Senegal, 2–4 November 2009.
[3] MAG, “Rapport d’enquête non-technique des zones suspectées d’être contaminées par des mines ou restes explosifs de guerre” (“Report of Non-Technical Survey of Areas Suspected to be Contaminated by Mines or Explosive Remnants of War”), Burundi, July–September 2010, p. 5. One SHA was not accessible during the survey owing to a lack of security: Giserama in Bukinanyana commune in Bubanza province.
[4] Emails from Julie Claveau, Programme Manager, MAG, 22 March and 15 April 2011.
[5] Ibid.
[6] MAG, “Rapport d’enquête non-technique des zones suspectées d’être contaminées par des mines ou restes explosifs de guerre” (“Report of Non-Technical Survey of Areas Suspected to be Contaminated by Mines or Explosive Remnants of War”), Burundi, July–September 2010, p. 5.
[7] Email from Julie Claveau, MAG, 10 February 2010.
[8] See, for example, Statement of Burundi, Ninth Meeting of States Parties, Mine Ban Treaty, Geneva, 27 November 2008.
[9] See, for example, Convention on Cluster Munitions Initial Article 7 Report, undated but 2011.
[10] GICHD, “Burundi: Synthese d’informations de l’action contre les mines et les restes explosifs de guerre (dont sous-munitions)” (“Burundi: Overview of information on mine action and ERW - including submunitions”), Second Seminar of African Francophone Seminar on Mine and ERW Action, Dakar, Senegal, 2–4 November 2009.
[11] MAG, “MAG Burundi Programme Update Oct. & Nov. 2010,” www.maginternational.org.
[12] Email from Nicole Ntagabo, Project Manager, MAG Burundi, 26 November 2012.
[13] Ibid.
Casualties and Victim Assistance
Casualties Overview
|
All known casualties by end 2011 |
6,000 mine/ERW casualties (estimate) |
|
Casualties in 2011 |
0 (2010:0) |
In 2011, the Monitor identified no new casualties from mines or explosive remnants of war (ERW) in Burundi. While this is in line with annual casualty figures that have been declining since a peak in 2005, it is likely that casualties may have occurred but were not recorded, since the Humanitarian Department for Mine/Unexploded Ordnance Action (Direction de l’Action Humanitaire contre les Mines et Engins non explosés, DAHMI) had not collected any casualty data since it began reorganizing casualty data in 2009.[1] The last confirmed mine and ERW casualties occurred in 2009.
In June 2010, Burundi estimated that the total number of casualties was 6,000.[2] However, no further details were available and DAHMI recognized that there was a need to conduct a survey to evaluate the exact number of mine/ERW victims in Burundi.[3] By 2011, there were only 1,561 casualties officially identified in DAHMI’s database.[4]
Victim Assistance
Burundi is known to have survivors of landmines and ERW. It has made a commitment to provide victim assistance as a State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty. There were estimated to be 5,000 survivors in Burundi.[5]
Victim assistance in 2011
In 2011, Burundi adopted the National Victim Assistance Action Plan 2011–2014 and formed a new victim assistance coordinating mechanism to oversee the implementation of the plan. There was an increase in the number of services open to survivors in Burundi during the year, particularly in the area of physical rehabilitation, despite continued concerns among some service providers that donor funding available for victim assistance was decreasing.[6] Overall, however, victim assistance stakeholders did not note any major changes in the availability or accessibility of services for survivors as a result of these changes.[7]
Assessing victim assistance needs
No efforts were made to assess the needs of survivors in 2011, despite the National Victim Assistance Action Plan aiming to conduct a qualitative survey on persons with disabilities and their needs by the end of the first half of 2012.[8] DAHMI continued to recognize the need for assessing the needs of survivors; inaction was attributed to a lack of funding.[9]
Victim assistance coordination[10]
|
Government coordinating body/focal point |
DAHMI |
|
Coordinating mechanism |
Interministerial and Inter-sectoral Coordinating Committee for Victim Assistance |
|
Plan |
National Victim Assistance Action Plan 2011-2014; adopted in 2011 |
Burundi developed and adopted the National Victim Assistance Action Plan 2011–2014 in 2011. The Action Plan aims to improve victim assistance across seven thematic areas: immediate and continued health care; physical rehabilitation; psychosocial and peer support; incusive education; social and econimic inclusion, including community-based rehabilitation; inclusive development; and data collection, legislation and policies, and coordination.[11]
The Interministerial and Inter-sectoral Coordinating Committee for Victim Assistance was founded on 10 October 2011 and held its first meeting on 23 November 2011.[12] The Coordinating Committee was facilitated by DAHMI and included representatives of the ministries of National Solidarity, Education, Defense, Public Health and Culture as well as representatives of NGOs and disabled persons’ organizations.[13] In addition to monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the Action Plan, the Coordinating Committee was to define public policies to improve the delivery of services, to link relevant ministries, agencies, service providers and donors, as well as to support the government in responding to its commitments under national law for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.[14]
Burundi provided information on victim assistance activities in Form J of its Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 report submitted for the period from April 2006 to April 2012.[15] Burundi gave updates on victim assistance at the Intersessional Standing Committee meetings in May 2012 and at the Eleventh Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty in December 2011.[16]
Inclusion and participation in victim assistance
Representatives of the Union of Persons with Disabilities of Burundi (Union des Personnes Handicapées du Burundi, UPHB) and of the Center for Training and Development of Ex-Combatants (CEDAC), an organization with survivors included within its membership, were invited to participate in the development of the National Victim Assistance Action Plan.[17] Some survivors were involved in the implementation of economic inclusion and peer support projects through NGO service providers.[18]
Service accessibility and effectiveness
Victim assistance activities in 2011[19]
|
Name of organization |
Type of organization |
Type of activity |
Changes in quality/coverage of service in 2011 |
|
MNS |
Government |
Physical rehabilitation; social and professional reinsertion |
Ongoing |
|
CEDAC |
National NGO |
Economic inclusion (micro-credit), psychosocial assistance and advocacy |
Ongoing |
|
UPHB |
National NGO |
Advocacy and economic inclusion; referrals for other services |
Ongoing |
|
Handicap International (HI) |
International NGO |
Disability rights and economic empowerment |
Launched a project to support the socio-economic inclusion of former combatants with disabilities in 5 provinces; ended program of HIV prevention for persons with disabilities due to lack of funding |
|
ICRC |
International organization |
Support for physical rehabilitation at the Saint Kizito Institute; donation of materials, components and equipment |
Renovation and refurbishment of rehabilitation department; constructed dormitories for external patients |
Although the number of service providers for physical rehabilitation increased in 2011 from six to seven, including private service providers, access to appropriate rehabilitation services remained difficult for most of those in need. The greatest obstacles for accessing services remained the lack of facilities and professionals and the cost of treatment, since users had to pay for the services.[20]
The ICRC continued its collaboration with the Saint Kizito institute in Bujumbura which targeted services for people in the areas in Burundi that were the most severely contaminated by weapons.[21] In 2011, to improve the accessibility of services, the ICRC renovated the prosthetics and orthotics department, refurbished the physiotherapy areas and constructed dormitories for external patients.[22]
In 2011, a new economic inclusion initiative was launched by Handicap International (HI) to provide personalized social support services and assistance for professional insertion.[23] These services were only designed for former combatants with disabilities, including disabilities from mines/ERW.[24]
The constitution prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities. However, the government lacked the capacity and funding to promote or protect the rights of persons with disabilities. The government did not enact legislation or otherwise mandate access to buildings, information, or government services for persons with disabilities.[25]
Burundi signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 26 April 2007.
[1] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Léonce Musavyi, DAHMI, 25 April 2012; email from Eric Niragira, Director, CEDAC, 21 March 2012; email from Désiré Irambona, DAHMI, 11 April 2011; and interviews with Nkeshimana Nicodème, Director, DAHMI, in Geneva, 16 March 2010; and Generose Ngendanganya, Deputy General Manager, Ministry of Public Service, in Geneva, 23 June 2010.
[2] Statement of Burundi, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education, and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 23 June 2010.
[3] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Léonce Musavyi, DAHMI, 25 April 2012.
[4] National Victim Assistance Action Plan, 2011–2014, January 2011, p.17.
[5] This figure includes the 1,300 survivors identified as of the end of 2008. Interview with Nkeshimana Nicodème, DAHMI, in Geneva 16 March 2010; and email from Désiré Irambona, DAHMI, 11 April 2011.
[6] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Eric Niragira, CEDAC, 19 March 2012.
[7] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Eric Niragira, CEDAC, 19 March 2012; and Augustin Neouze, Programme Director, HI, 5 May 2012.
[8] National Victim Assistance Action Plan, 2011–2014, January 2011, Axe 7, Objective 1, p. 33.
[9] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Léonce Musavyi, DAHMI, 25 April 2012; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Eric Niragira, CEDAC, 19 March 2012.
[10] National Victim Assistance Action Plan, 2011–2014, January 2011; Statement of Burundi, Eleventh Meeting of States Parties, Mine Ban Treaty, Phnom Penh, 29 November 2011; Statement of Burundi, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Mine Ban Treaty, Geneva, 23 May 2012; response to Monitor questionnaire by Augustin Neouze, HI, Burundi, 03 May 2012; Mine Ban Treaty, Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 April 2012; and Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, (undated, submitted in 2011), Form H.
[11] National Victim Assistance Action Plan, 2011–2014, January 2011.
[12] Statement of Burundi, Eleventh Meeting of States Parties, Mine Ban Treaty, Phnom Penh, 29 November 2011.
[13] Ibid.; response to Monitor questionnaire by Augustin Neouze, HI, Burundi, 03 May 2012.
[14] Statement of Burundi, Eleventh Meeting of States Parties, Mine Ban Treaty, Phnom Penh, 29 November 2011.
[15] Mine Ban Treaty, Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 April 2012.
[16] Statement of Burundi, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Mine Ban Treaty, Geneva, 23 May 2012; and statement of Burundi, Eleventh Meeting of States Parties, Mine Ban Treaty, Phnom Penh, 29 November 2011.
[17] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Eric Niragira, CEDAC 19 March 2012; response to Monitor questionnaire by Augustin Neouze, HI, Burundi, 03 May 2012; Response to Monitor questionnaire by Léonce Musavyi, DAHMI, 25 April 2012; and Kirajagaraye Vianney, Director, UPHB, 22 March 2011.
[18] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Eric Niragira, CEDAC, 19 March 2012.
[19] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Eric Niragira, CEDAC, 19 March 2012; Response Monitor questionnaire by Augustin Neouze, HI, 5 May 2012; US Department of State, “2011 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Burundi,” Washington, DC, 24 May 2012; ICRC PRP, “Annual Report 2011”, Geneva, June 2012; and ICRC, “Annual Report 2011”, Geneva, June 2012.
[20] ICRC PRP, “Annual Report 2011”, Geneva, June 2012, p. 28.
[21] Ibid.
[22] Ibid., & p. 95.
[23] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Augustin Neouze, HI, 5 May 2012.
[24] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Eric Niragira, CEDAC, 19 March 2012; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Augustin Neouze, HI, 5 May 2012.
[25] US Department of State, “2011 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Burundi,” Washington, DC, 24 May 2012.
Support for Mine Action
Support for Mine Action
Burundi has a small residual problem of antipersonnel mines, the legacy of more than a decade of internal conflict.[1] Major clearance operations involving international NGOs DanChurchAid and the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action were completed in 2008.[2]
In 2011, Switzerland contributed CHF171,636 (US$193,676) to Mines Advisory Group towards mine clearance.[3]
In 2010 or 2011, Burundi did not report any contributions to its mine action program.
Summary of contributions in 2007–2011[4]
|
Year |
International contributions (US$) |
|
2011 |
193,676 |
|
2010 |
182,120 |
|
2009 |
N/R |
|
2008 |
1,094,632 |
|
2007 |
1,066,987 |
|
Total |
2,537,415 |
N/R = Not Reported
[1] Statement of Burundi, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 21 May 2012.
[2] See ICBL-CMC, “Country Profile: Burundi: Mine Action,” www.the-monitor.org, 9 August 2011.
[3] Response to Monitor questionnaire from Claudia Moser, Programme Officer, Directorate for Political Affairs, Human Security Division, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland, 24 June 2012. Average exchange rate for 2011: CHF0.8862 = US$1. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2012.
[4] See ICBL-CMC, “Country Profile: Burundi: Support for Mine Action,” 29 August 2011.