SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS KILLINGS IN BURUNDI; CALLS ON PARTIES TO CONFLICT TO CEASE IMMEDIATELY ACTS OF VIOLENCE
Press Release
SG/SM/6025
SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS KILLINGS IN BURUNDI; CALLS ON PARTIES TO CONFLICT TO CEASE IMMEDIATELY ACTS OF VIOLENCE
19960722 The following statement was made today by the Spokesman for the Secretary-General:Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali has learned with the utmost dismay of the latest massacre of civilians in Burundi. More than 300 women, children and elderly men were killed over the weekend in a manner all too reminiscent of the genocide experienced in Rwanda two years ago. The slaughter of Bugendana [Central Burundi] is just the most recent of a long line of incidents that underline the urgent need for regional and international efforts to restore peace and stability in Burundi.
The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest possible terms these wanton killings and those who carried them out. He calls on the parties to the conflict in Burundi to cease immediately their acts of violence and to cooperate fully with all those who are seeking to bring an end to this vicious cycle of atrocity and counter-atrocity.
The Secretary-General conveys his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, urges all parties to show restraint and expresses the hope that a proper investigation will be carried out by the Burundi authorities.
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