Burundi sanctions

SECO amends 2 Burundi listings

Earlier today, Swiss authorities amended the following 2 individual Burundi sanctions designations:

SSID: 25-32655 Name: Godefroid Bizimana

Sex: M DOB: 23 Apr 1968 POB: Nyagaseke, Mabayi, Cibitoke Nationality: Burundi Identification document: Passport No. DP0001520, Burundi

Justification: “Chargé de missions de la Présidence” and former Deputy Director- GeneralDirector General of the National Police, responsiblePolice. Responsible for undermining democracy by making operational decisions that have led to a disproportionate use of force and acts of violent repression towards peaceful demonstrations that started on 26 Apr 2015 following the announcement of the presidential candidacy of President Nkurunziza. Modifications: Listed on 4 Dec 2015, amended on 8 Nov 2019

SSID: 25-32672 Name: Mathias JosephMathias-Joseph Niyonzima

DOB: a) 6 Mar 1956 b) 2 Jan 1967 POB: Kanyosha Commune, Mubimbi, Bujumbura-Rural Province, Burundi Good quality a.k.a.: Kazungu Identification document: Passport No. OP0053090, Burundi

Justification: Officer of the National Intelligence Service. Responsible for obstructing the search for a political solution in Burundi by inciting violence and acts of repression during the demonstrations that started on 26 AprilApr 2015 following the announcement of the presidential candidacy of President Nkurunziza. Responsible for helping to train, coordinate and arm the Imbonerakure paramilitary militias, including outside Burundi, who are responsible for acts of violence, repression and serious human rights abuses in Burundi. Other information: Registration number (SNR): O/00064 Modifications: Listed on 4 Dec 2015, amended on 8 Nov 2018, 8 Nov 2019

Links:

FINMA Notice

Data files of updates – PDF, XML

January 10, 2019: Oops, OFSI (and EU)! Burundi listing corrected

On Thursday, British regulators implemented corrections to the following individual Burundi sanctions listing:

NIYONZIMA Mathias Joseph Mathias-Joseph

DOB: (1) 06/03/1956. (2) 02/01/1967. POB: Kanyosha Commune, Mubimbi, Bujumbura-Rural Province, Burundi a.k.a: KAZUNGU Nationality:

Burundian Passport Details: Passport number: OP0053090 Position: Officer of the National Intelligence Service Other Information: Registration number (SNR): O/00064 Listed on: 02/10/2015 Last Updated: 29/10/2018 10/01/2019 Group ID: 13283.

after the publication of a Corrigenda by the EU.

Link:

OFSI Notice

EU Corrigenda

November 8, 2018: SECO updates one Burundi sanctions listing

Last Thursday, Swiss authorities updated the following individual designation: 

SSID: 25-32672 Name: Mathias Joseph Niyonzima

DOB: a) 6 Mar 1956 b) 2 Jan 1967 POB: Kanyosha Commune, Mubimbi, Bujumbura-Rural Province, Burundi Good quality a.k.a.: Kazungu Identification document: Passport No. OP0053090, Burundi

Justification: Officer of the National Intelligence Service. Responsible for obstructing the search for a political solution in Burundi by inciting violence and acts of repression during the demonstrations that started on 26 AprApril 2015 following the announcement of the presidential candidacy of President Nkurunziza. Responsible for helping to train, coordinate and arm the Imbonerakure paramilitary militias, including outside Burundi, who are responsible for acts of violence, repression and serious human rights abuses in Burundi. Other information: Registration number (SNR): O/00064 Modifications: Listed on 4 Dec 2015, amended on 8 Nov 2018

made under the Burundi sanctions program.

Links:

FINMA Notice

Data files of updates – PDF, XML

October 28, 2018: EU, HMT amend one Burundi listing

On October 29th, Her Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) implementing Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2018/1605 by amending the following Burundi sanctions listing:

NIYONZIMA Mathias Joseph

DOB: (1) 06/03/1956 (2) 02/01/1967 POB: Kanyosha Commune, Mubimbi, Bujumbura-Rural Province, Burundi a.k.a: KAZUNGU Nationality:

Burundian Passport Details: Passport number: OP0053090 Position: Officer of the National Intelligence Service Other Information: Registration number (SNR): O/00064 Listed on: 02/10/2015 Last Updated: 02/10/2015 29/10/2018 Group ID: 13283.

Links:

HMT Notice

Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2018/1605

October 25, 2018: EU extends Burundi sanctions

 
 
 
 
 
 
Council of the European Union  
 
25/10/2018 | PRESS RELEASE
 

Burundi: EU renews sanctions until 31 October 2019
 

On 25 October 2018, the Council renewed the EU restrictive measures against Burundi until 31 October 2019. These measures consist of a travel ban and asset freeze against four persons whose activities were deemed to be undermining democracy or obstructing the search for a political solution to the crisis in Burundi. These activities include acts of violence, repression or incitement to violence and acts which constitute serious human rights violations.

The Council considered that the absence of progress in the situation regarding the four persons subject to restrictive measures justified the prolongation of the sanctions.

The EU remains deeply concerned by the human rights situation in Burundi, which undermines any initiative for reconciliation, peace and justice. It highlights, in particular, the persistence of extrajudicial executions and arbitrary arrests. Since the beginning of the crisis in Burundi, the EU has stressed that only through dialogue leading to consensus, in compliance with the Arusha Agreement of 2000 and the Burundian Constitution, can a lasting political solution be found in the interests of security and democracy for all Burundi’s people. 

The names of the persons concerned and the reasons for listing them are included in the annex to the decision of 1 October 2015 published in the Official Journal. Today’s legal acts were adopted by written procedure.

Link:

EU Press Release

October 23, 2017: Boo!(rundi) EU sanctions extended to Halloween ‘18

Sorry for the pun in the subject line – it seemed the right thing to do…

 

 
 
 
 
 
Council of the European Union  
 
23/10/2017 | PRESS RELEASE
 

Burundi: EU renews sanctions until 31 October 2018
 

On 23 October 2017, the Council renewed the EU restrictive measures against Burundi for another year until 31 October 2018. These measures consist of a travel ban and asset freeze against four persons whose activities are deemed to be undermining democratic governance  and obstructing the search for a peaceful political solution in Burundi. These activities include acts of violence, repression or incitement to violence and acts which constitute serious human rights violations.

The EU remains profoundly concerned by information on continuing extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrests and detentions, forced disappearances, torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and gender-based violence, including sexual violence committed in Burundi since April 2015. The EU has repeatedly and continuously called on all parties to refrain from and to firmly condemn any acts of violence and to end the cycle  of impunity of perpetrators. The respect for the rule of law, built on  effective, accountable and inclusive institutions is essential to achieving a lasting political solution to the crisis.

The Council considered that the absence of progress in the situation in Burundi justified the renewal of the sanctions for another year.

The names of the persons concerned and the reasons for listing them are included in the annex to the decision  of 1 October 2015 published in the Official Journal.

Council Decision concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Burundi (1 October 2015)

Adoption procedure of EU restrictive measures – ‘sanctions’

Burundi and the EU (EEAS website)

Link:

EU Notice

Finnish regulatory update

The latest update from Finnish authorities references the following recent changes to EU restrictive measures:

Link:

Finnish regulatory update