This report provides an overview of some of the grave human rights abuses which have taken place in Burundi since December 1997. Its main focus is on patterns of extrajudicial executions and other human rights violations by members of the Burundian armed forces as well as killings and other human rights abuses by armed opposition groups in the context of insurgency. It also covers the plight of refugees who have been forced to flee Burundi for their own security.