Burundi: Massacre of students

CHILD CONCERN
Case BDI 070597.CC

The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your intervention in
the following situation in Burundi.

Brief description of the situation :
The International Secretariat has been informed, by various reliable
sources, of the alleged massacre of 36 pupils at the Buta Seminary,
South Burundi, by members of FDD/FROLINA/EX-FAR, an armed Hutu
paramilitary group, during the night of the 29th to 30th of April
1997.

The following is a list of the 33 pupils who are alleged to have been
killed during the attack. Three other were killed, but the names are
still unknown.

First Scientific B class (Baccalaureat) : Gatabazo Leonidas,
Habarugira Wilherman, Harerimana Joseph, Kanani Jean Marie,
Mbazumutima Longin, Ndayitwayeko Pie, Ndikumana Alexis, Nduwayo
Boniface, Niyungeko Pasteur.

Second Scientific B class (one year before the Baccalaureat) :
Barinakandi Gilbert, Dusabumukama Remy, Muhengeri Joseph, Murerwa
Jimmy Prudence, Ndayumvaneza Emery, Nduwimana Desire, Ninganza
Diomede, Nininahazwe Patrick, Niyongabo Prosper, Niypnkuru Protais.

Third Scientific B class (two years before the Baccalaureat) :
Bayishemeze Alain Basile, Bitangwanimana Sebastien, Dushimirimana
Robert, Gahungu Eloi, Hakizimana Pascal, Manirakiza Adronis, Mutore
Gilles, Nibaruta Phocas, Niyondiko Emile, Niyongabo Egide, Ntakiyica
Alphonse, Ntungwanayo Pierre Claver, Nzisabira Lenine, Sebahene
Gabriel.

Please note Baccalaureat refers to the examinations that are taken
normally at the age of eighteen. It is alleged that 39 other students
were injured during the attack, some of them severely.

According to sources close to the victims, the group tried to divide
the pupils between Hutus and Tutsi. As the pupils refused, they were
allegedly killed.

According to other sources, the pupils were allegedly armed. Last
year, the army overthrew the constitutional President, who was
replaced by Major Buyoya. The coup was not recognised by the majority
party (FRODEBU). In order to strengthen his position, Major Buyoya
allegedly called for students to arm themselves.

Action requested :
Please write to the Burundian authorities urging them to :

i.      guarantee the respect of the physical and psychological integrity
of the pupils injured and ensure they receive adequate medical
assistance;

ii.     carry out an impartial and exhaustive enquiry into this alleged
facts, identify those responsible, bring them before a competent and
impartial tribunal and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative
sanctions provided by law;

iii.    guarantee the full respect of human rights and fundamental
freedoms in the country in accordance with national laws and
international standards.

Addresses :
Major Pierre Buyoya, President de la Republique, Presidence de la
Republique. Fax : + 257 22 74 90 Monsieur Gervais Rubashamiheto,
Ministre de la justice et Garde des sceaux, Ministere de la justice.
Fax : + 257 22 21 48 Lieutenant-Colonel Epitace Bayakanakandi,
Ministre de l'Interieur, Ministere de l'Interieur. Fax : + 257 22 21
48/21 30 55 Madame Christine Ruhaza, Ministere des droits de la
personne, Ministre des droits de la personne. Fax : + 257 21 61 02

Geneva, 7 May 1997

Kindly inform us of any action taken by quoting the code of this
appeal in your reply.
Ben Schonveld 
Projects Manager
OMCT-SOS-Torture
Fax 4122 733 1051
Ph  4122 733 3140
OMCT is: l'Organisation Mondiale contre la Torture
         The World Organisation Against Torture

OMCT@IPROLINK.CH
http://www.omct.org/

The Human Rights Action Network, a part of Derechos Human Rights, distributes appeals on behalf of victims of human rights violations. You are invited to join the network. Please check the date of the present action and do not write if it's over a month old.