An East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) committee tasked to look into the Burundi crisis has mooted the establishment of an international investigative mechanism to probe alleged human rights violations in the country.

The EALA committee on regional affairs and conflict resolution made the report that was premised on a petition by the Pan African Lawyers’ Union (PALU) which asked for action by the regional legislative body on what they called a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Burundi.

"The Committee urges the Assembly to support the full utilisation of all possible measures allowed by the Treaty and Community law to be directed against any person or entity that will undermine the establishment and operationalisation of a credible investigative mechanism,” reads one of the recommendations.

The committee also called for the EAC Summit to facilitate and support the establishment of the investigative mechanism to independently investigate all allegations of human rights violations in Burundi.

"…that the Summit will put in place actions that will fully utilize all possible measures allowed by the Treaty and Community law to be directed against any person or entity that will undermine the establishment of the mechanism,” it says.

Hundreds of people have died in Burundi since the civil strife broke out early last years after President Pierre Nkurunziza announced that he would be running for the third time, which many said was in violation of the constitution.

Over 70,000 Burundians have since crossed into Rwanda fleeing from the ensuing violence, while a much bigger number has gone to Tanzania.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw