UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER
BURUNDI: NGO Statement from RESO on Rutana incident [19991018]

BURUNDI: NGO Statement from RESO on Rutana incident [19991018]

[ This document from an external source is distributed by IRIN for background information. ]

Dated: Monday 18 October Contact: banjo@cni.cbinf.com Source: RESO Bujumbura, Burundi

Version Francais

DECLARATION RESO

Le RESO (Rassemblement, Echanges et Solutions entre ONG ) est une organe de représentation des intérêts partagé par une majorité d'ONG internationales intervenant au Burundi.

Le RESO saisit cette opportunité pour exprimer sa profonde indignation, quant à l'exécution barbare de 2 membres internationaux des Nations Unies, ainsi que sept citoyens burundais, participant à une mission humanitaire d'évaluation en province de RUTANA .

Nous exprimons nos plus sincères condoléances aux familles des disparus, et un prompt rétablissement aux survivants .

Le RESO condamne vivement cette attaque ainsi que toute autre atteinte à la vie de la population civile. Nous lançons un appel pressant aux autorités à mettre en place tout les efforts pour déterminer les responsables de ce crime et de les poursuivre, avec toute la vigueur de la loi.

Le RESO rappelle que l'assistance humanitaire a pour seuls objectifs de sauver des vies humaines et d'alléger les souffrances des populations, en toute neutralité et sans parti pris politique, religieux ou ethnique.

Le RESO demande à toutes les parties au conflit burundais : - De condamner avec force les événements survenus à MUZYE en province RUTANA. - De réaffirmer publiquement leur accord avec les principes d'action des organisations humanitaires. - Et de respecter ou de faire respecter les principes humanitaires permettant aux orginanisations humanitaires d'apporter tout le soutien nécessaire aux populations dans le besoin.

Signee pour les Membres du RESO

John Myers (Save The Children Fund U.K.) President

English Version

RESO STATEMENT

The RESO (Rassemblement, Echanges et Solutions entre ONG) is a body representing the common interests of the majority of International NGOs working in Burundi.

RESO takes this opportunity to express its' outrage at the barbaric execution of 2 International staff members of the United Nations, and 7 Burundian citizens during an huanitarian evaluation mission in Rutana province.

We would like to express our sincere condolences to the families of those killed in the attack, as well as our best wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured.

RESO condemns this attack, and all attacks on unarmed non-combatants; and urges the authorities to pursue every avenue of investigation to determine where responsibility for this action lies, and prosecute those responsible with the full vigour of the law.

RESO reiterates that humanitarian assistance is solely directed towards saving human lives and relieving the suffering of the civilian population. Humanitarian assistance is neutral, and takes no account of race, political affiliation, religious convictio n or ethnicity.

RESO asks that all parties to the armed conflict: - Condemn strongly the incident which took place at Muzye, in Rutana. - Reaffirm publicly their support for the aims and actions of humanitarian organisations. - Encourage respect in practice for the principles which allow humanitarian organisations to assist populations in need.

Signed on behalf of the Members,

John Myers (Save the Children Fund U.K.) President

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