Date: 2020-10-30Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1578 of 29 October 2020 implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1755 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Burundi
Executive Summary:
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1578 amends Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2015/1755, which concerns restrictive measures against Burundi. The amendment updates identifying information and grounds for designation for two natural persons listed in Annex I. The regulation entered into force on October 31, 2020.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Amendment of Annex I:**
* Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2015/1755 is amended as detailed in the Annex of this Regulation.
* Entries 1 and 2 under the heading "List of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies referred to in Article 2" are replaced.
* **Updated Information:**
* The information regarding Godefroid BIZIMANA is updated, citing his role as Chargé de missions de la Présidence and former Deputy Director-General of the National Police, his promotion to Chief Police Commissioner, and his responsibility for undermining democracy through disproportionate use of force against peaceful demonstrations.
* The information regarding Gervais NDIRAKOBUCA is updated, citing his role as Minister of the Interior, Community Development and Public Security, former head of Cabinet of the Presidential Administration, and former Director-General of the National Intelligence Service, along with his responsibility for obstructing the search for a political solution through disproportionate force and human rights violations against protestors.
Impact Analysis:
* **European Union Member States:**
* Impact: Required to implement and enforce the updated restrictive measures.
* Action Required: Ensure that the amended Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2015/1755 is fully applied within their jurisdiction.
* **Godefroid BIZIMANA:**
* Impact: Subject to the restrictive measures as outlined in Regulation (EU) 2015/1755.
* Action Required: Compliance with the sanctions and restrictions imposed.
* **Gervais NDIRAKOBUCA:**
* Impact: Subject to the restrictive measures as outlined in Regulation (EU) 2015/1755.
* Action Required: Compliance with the sanctions and restrictions imposed.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: An economic and political union of European countries.
Council Regulation EU 2015/1755: A regulation concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Burundi.
Burundi: A country in East Africa, which is the subject of the restrictive measures.
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: An office responsible for proposing regulations related to foreign affairs and security policy.
Godefroid Bizimana: Former Deputy Director-General of the National Police of Burundi, designated for undermining democracy.
Gervais Ndirakobuca: Minister of the Interior, Community Development and Public Security of Burundi, designated for obstructing the search for a political solution.
Brussels: The city where the regulation was adopted.
Nyakabiga: A district of Bujumbura, Burundi, where acts of violence against protestors occurred.
30.10.2020 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union L 362/1
II
(Non-legislative acts)
REGULATIONS
COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2020/1578
of 29 October 2020
implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1755 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in
Burundi
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2015/1755 of 1 October 2015 concerning restrictive measures in view of the
situation in Burundi(1), and in particular Article 13(4) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
(1) On 1 October 2015, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2015/1755.
(2) On the basis of a review by the Council, the information concerning two natural persons in Annex I to Regulation
(EU) 2015/1755 should be amended.
(3) Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2015/1755 should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2015/1755 is amended as set out in the Annex to this Regulation.
Article 2
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 29 October 2020.
For the Council
The President
M. ROTH
(1) OJ L 257, 2.10.2015, p. 1.L 362/2 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e an Union 30.10.2020
ANNEX
In Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2015/1755, entries 1 and 2 under the heading ‘List of natural and legal persons, entities and
bodies referred to in Article 2’ are replaced by the following:
Name Identifying information Grounds for designation
‘1. Godefroid Gender: Male “Chargé de missions de la Présidence” and former Deputy
BIZIMANA Director-General of the National Police. On 31 December
DOB: 23.4.1968
2019, Mr Bizimana was promoted to the rank of Chief
POB: Nyagaseke, Mabayi, Police Commissioner. Responsible for undermining
Cibitoke democracy by making operational decisions that have led to
a disproportionate use of force and acts of violent repression
Burundian nationality.
towards peaceful demonstrations that started on 26 April
Passport number:
2015 following the announcement of the presidential can
DP0001520
didacy of President Nkurunziza.
2. Gervais Gender: Male Minister of the Interior, Community Development and
NDIRAKOBUCA Public Security as of June 2020. Former head of Cabinet of
DOB: 1.8.1970
alias the Presidential Administration (Présidence) responsible for
NDAKUGARIKA Burundian nationality. matters relating to the National Police between May 2013
Passport number: and November 2019, and former Director-General of the
DP0000761 National Intelligence Service between November 2019 and
June 2020. Responsible for obstructing the search for a
political solution in Burundi by issuing instructions that led
to a disproportionate use of force, acts of violence, acts of
repression and violations of international human rights law
against protestors demonstrating from 26 April 2015
onwards, following the announcement of the presidential
candidacy of President Nkurunziza, including on 26, 27 and
28 April 2015 in the Nyakabiga and Musaga districts of
Bujumbura.’