“Every day, we receive 40 to 50 calls from frightened people all across the country pleading for protection or reporting abuses,” High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein stated in a press release.

His office (OHCHR) has received accounts from 47 Burundian refugees who fled to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) about serious violations reportedly committed by the militia attached to the pro-government movement known as the Imbonerakure.

“If State authorities are indeed colluding with a violent lawless militia in this manner, they are gambling with the country’s future in the most reckless manner imaginable,” said the High Commissioner, warning that such violations “could tip an already extremely tense situation over the edge.”

“Now, more than ever, it is essential the Burundian authorities show their commitment to peace by clearly disassociating themselves from their violent supporters and ensuring accountability for any crime or human rights violations they may have committed,” he continued.

Reported to have taken place in Bujumbura, as well as in various provinces, the alleged violations include summary executions, abductions, torture, beatings, death threats and other forms of intimidation.

A 19-year-old refugee from Makamba province told OHCHR that his house was attacked and looted at night by Imbonerakure members and his father stabbed to death because he had refused to join the ruling party, the CNDD-FDD.

Another refugee said he was abducted on 15 April by four members of the militia who accused him of supporting an opposition party, the FNL. He said he was taken to a building and tortured by the four men, who beat him with an iron rod. Wounds were still visible on his body at the time of the interview.

A female refugee from the same town said that she and her husband were also beaten up at night in their house by Imbonerakure elements, who asked why her husband was not taking part in the meetings organised by the CNDD-FDD.