The search for a new facilitator should be used as an opportunity to put human rights protection on the agenda of the peace process. Members of the armed forces claim that armed opposition groups have infiltrated the camps, which, if true, further endangers the lives of civilians. Armed opposition groups have also stepped up their attacks against civilians in many provinces of the country. Furthermore, a number of parties in Bujumbura, angry at the perceived failure of the government and security forces to adequately protect the capital, are deliberately inciting ethnic tension and making veiled calls for violence. During three weeks in September, the predominantly Tutsi army forcibly relocated more than 320,000 people, mainly Hutus, from the province around the capital into around 50 temporary sites or camps, some of which are still inaccessible to humanitarian organizations.
Conditions are appalling and many have no access to shelter or water.
In the first week of the regroupment at least 30 people, mostly women and children, are reported to have died as a result primarily of dehydration. The killing of two expatriate UN workers in Rutana province on 12 October has further exacerbated the situation in the camps as international organizations have withdrawn most personnel. The government has claimed that the operation to forcibly relocate civilians into camps was carried out to protect the lives of the civilian population, but in reality it has exposed them to famine, disease, fear and human rights violations. Reports indicate that up to 36 people, including 22 women, may have been executed by members of the armed forces near the Kibembe regroupment camp, Rural Bujumbura province on 29 October. The soldiers were apparently angry that the civilians had complained about the conditions in the camps.