Your Excellency,

Human Rights Watch welcomes the concern shown by the Security Council for the crises in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi. The departure of a mission to Central Africa at this time clearly demonstrates the urgency of the situation in these countries. We are writing to convey our analysis of the human rights situation in these countries, and to suggest steps that the Security Council could take to address areas of particular concern, including increasing protection for civilian populations and ending impunity for abuses.