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Burundi - No Protection from Rape in War and Peace

Rape is a violation of a woman's right to physical and mental integrity, and often her right to life itself. Under international human rights law, states have an obligation to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights of women, and those that fail to do so will be held accountable. Amnesty International published a report on Oct. 9, 2007, Burundi: No protection from rape in war and peace. In this report, AI expresses concern that Burundian authorities are failing to exercise due diligence to prevent and investigate rape and sexual violence, and to provide justice, medical assistance and counseling to the victims of rape.

Sexual violence is a violation of women's human rights that can not be tolerated. Take action now to urge the Burundian authorities to address the problem of sexual violence against women. Read the report | Background Information | Download and print sample letter (PDF) | RTF (Word)

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Pierre Nkurunziza - Président

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Dear (recipient name),

I am writing to you regarding Amnesty International's recent report entitled "Burundi: No Protection from Rape in War and Peace" which documents the high incidence of rape and sexual violence in Burundi and the failure of the government and authorities to investigate and prosecute incidences of rape.  Under the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women and its Optional Protocol, both of which were ratified by Burundi, the state has a responsibility to prevent violence against women and to prosecute those responsible.  The government must demonstrate that rape and sexual violence are violations of women's human rights which will not be tolerated and should take immediate steps to enact laws and policies to prevent, investigate and punish sexual violence.

I urge the government to collect official statistics on the extent of rape in Burundi.  This would help the government to allocate sufficient resources to help victims of rape, increase accountability among state authorities, and encourage women to come forward.  The government must also ensure that the police and judiciary receive proper training to investigate cases of rape and prosecute those found responsible.  A legal service should be set up throughout the country, including in rural areas, to provide advice, financial assistance and support to women who instigate legal proceedings.  Furthermore, the government needs to take immediate steps to eliminate the practice of "amicable settlements," in which rape victims are sometimes forced to marry the perpetrators.  These settlements are not an effective remedy for victims of rape and amount to a further violation of women's human rights.

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