Human Rights Council 38: Human Rights in Burundi
This UK statement was delivered at the 38th session of the Human Rights Council during the Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Burundi, held on 27 June 2018.
The Human Rights Council takes place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva
The UK thanks the Commission of Inquiry (COI) members for their update and appreciates their efforts to investigate under challenging circumstances.
The UK is extremely concerned about the human rights situation, which deteriorated further in the run-up to the referendum held on 17 May. The culture of impunity for crimes committed only encourages further abuses and violations. The UK calls on the Government of Burundi to re-establish cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and implement both of the resolutions adopted at the 36th session of the Human Rights Council.
The UK regrets the increasing restrictions imposed on civil society and members of the opposition, especially prior to the referendum. The UK urges the Government of Burundi to focus on ensuring the elections in 2020 are fair, inclusive and transparent, and welcomes as a first step the President’s announcement that he will not re-stand for election.
The UK underlines its position that genuine, inclusive dialogue, with all parties, remains the only viable option to resolve the political crisis. The UK calls on the Government of Burundi, and the guarantors of the Arusha Accords, to ensure that the spirit of the Arusha Accords is respected when constitutional changes are implemented.
We would like to ask:
What is the COI’s assessment of the human rights situation since the referendum?
Has the COI had any contact with the newly established Burundian National Council for National Unity and Reconciliation, and the National Observatory for the Prevention and Eradication of Genocide, War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity?