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.