Evidence of meeting #127 for Subcommittee on International Human Rights in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was crisis.
A video is available from Parliament.
1:55 p.m.
Ms. Anita Vandenbeld (Ottawa West—Nepean, Lib.)
Okay.
We will now give Mr. Nininahazwe an opportunity to answer.
1:55 p.m.
President, Forum pour la Conscience et le Développement
The issue of child soldiers was not a concern back then, but today, we are very worried by the hate-based education targeting children at a young age, in elementary school. Those children are singing the Imbonerakure hate chants. It should also be pointed out that, in the case of the Imbonerakure militia, it is sometimes difficult to figure out whether they are still children or are already adults because that education is provided to all young people, in the hills, without necessarily distinguishing in terms of age.
As for displaced individuals, we separate them into two categories. On the one hand, there are internally displaced people, who are still in Burundi and have been there since 1993. Those are primarily Tutsis. On the other hand, there are refugees outside Burundi. People from those two categories are all threatened. Those who are in Burundi are already seriously threatened. The CNDD-FDD party, which is in power, and the Imbonerakure militia are threatening to destroy the camps where internally displaced people have been refugees since 1993. The safety of refugees outside the country is also seriously threatened. That is the case for refugees in Tanzania. They are being forced to return to Burundi. In addition, nearly all Burundian refugees who are in bordering countries are living under highly precarious conditions because the HCR does not have sufficient financial means. So we are calling on Canada to provide support to the HCR with regard to this situation.
1:55 p.m.
Ms. Anita Vandenbeld (Ottawa West—Nepean, Lib.)
Okay. Thank you very much.
I am sorry, but Ms. Hardcastle has only three minutes left.
1:55 p.m.
NDP
Cheryl Hardcastle NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Thank you again.
Could ethnic tension be a factor as well in why there is inactivity or ineffectualness from regional organizations like the East African Community or the African Union?
1:55 p.m.
Lawyer, As an Individual
I think that the leaders and presidents who are part of the East African Community do not see the Burundian crisis and its potential outcome in the same way. That is why the dialogue has not advanced over the past three years. Some countries support President Pierre Nkurunziza. So we are asking that the dialogue be extended across Africa, the African Union or the United Nations, as we have already noted that people from the community do not have the same point of view or the same willingness to find a solution to bring Burundi out of this crisis.
1:55 p.m.
President, Forum pour la Conscience et le Développement
As Mr. Niyongere was saying, certain regional aspect have to be considered in the ongoing crisis in Burundi. We already see that Interahamwe militia who participated in the Rwanda genocide are currently in Burundi. Very recently, attacks in Rwanda originating in Burundi have been reported. So it is to be feared that this crisis, if it is not resolved quickly, may affect the entire Great Lakes sub-region. We are also starting to see attacks by Burundian rebels from the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
As Mr. Niyongere was saying, the region's leaders have different perceptions of the Burundian crisis. Some are trying to make it look like an ethnic issue, but that is not the case. In reality, the current crisis has nothing to do with the previous ethnic crises in Burundi. This is a political crisis stemming from Pierre Nkurunziza's desire to hold on to power. Both the opposition and the current regime are made up of Hutus and Tutsis. So it is false to believe that this is an ethnic crisis. However, some countries in the region are looking at it that way.
2 p.m.
Ms. Anita Vandenbeld (Ottawa West—Nepean, Lib.)
Thank you very much.
Unfortunately, we have only one hour for the meeting.
Mr. Niyongere and Mr. Nininahazwe, thank you for your testimony and your courage.
Thank you very much also to the interpreters who have done a phenomenal job today under trying circumstances.
Thank you very much.
2 p.m.
President, Forum pour la Conscience et le Développement
Thank you for your commitment, ladies and gentlemen. We thank you very much.
2 p.m.
Ms. Anita Vandenbeld (Ottawa West—Nepean, Lib.)
Thank you.
Just a reminder to the committee, there's no meeting on Thursday.
With that, the meeting is adjourned.