Petition: Establish an International Court for the Prosecution of individuals Responsible for the 1993 Tutsi Genocide in Burundi

To: United Nations Human Rights Council, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and Member States
From: Kirazira Think Tank (Association Against the Genocide of the Tutsi Kirazira), Montreal, Canada;

              Association de lutte contre le Génocide AC Génocide Canada, Toronto, Ontario
Contact: info@kirazira.org | kirazira.org; 

 contact@acgenocidecanada.info | acgenocidecanada.info

Petition Statement

We, the undersigned, urgently call for the United Nations to establish an International Court to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the 1993 Tutsi genocide in Burundi. As documented in UN Security Council report S/1996/682, Burundian Tutsis were systematically killed by Hutu extremists following the assassination of President Melchior Ndadaye on October 21, 1993. These acts of genocide targeting Tutsi spread massacres across Burundi’s provinces.

Despite clear evidence, justice remains elusive. Perpetrators have faced no accountability, and denial of the genocide persists, fueling ethnic division and risking future atrocities. A UN International Court—combining international and Burundian judicial expertise—offers a path to truth, justice, and reconciliation. Such courts have proven effective in cases like Sierra Leone and Cambodia, delivering impartial verdicts while respecting local contexts.

Why This Matters

• Justice for Victims: An International Court will hold perpetrators accountable, honoring the memory of over 300,000 Tutsi victims and giving closure to survivors.
• Combating Denial: By establishing historical truth, the court will counter denialist narratives that trivialize the genocide, as highlighted by Kirazira’s mission.
• Prevention: Addressing impunity deters future genocides, fostering peace in Burundi and the Great Lakes region.
• Survivor Support: Judicial recognition empowers survivors to heal and advocate for their rights.

Our Request

We urge the UN Human Rights Council and OHCHR to:

1. Establish an International Court to prosecute those responsible for the 1993 Tutsi genocide, as documented in S/1996/682.
2. Convince Burundian authorities to facilitate investigations that would lead to fair, transparent trials.
3. Support our efforts to raise awareness and preserve victims’ memory through education and advocacy.

Call to Action

Sign this petition to demand justice for the victims of the genocide against Tutsi in Burundi. Share it on social media with #JusticeForTutsi and #TutsiGenocideAwareness to urge global action. Together, we can ensure the truth is upheld, victims are honored, and survivors find justice. Visit kirazira.org to learn more and support our mission.

Sign Now: Add your name to join Kirazira and AC Genocide Canada in calling for a UN International  court.
Contact Us: info@kirazira.org for inquiries or to co-sponsor this petition.