HRC57 - EU Introductory Statement on the Situation of Human Rights in Burundi

UN Human Rights Council

57^th session - Item 4

L.12 - Introduction

Situation of Human Rights in Burundi

EU Introductory Statement

Mr President,

On behalf of the European Union, I have the honour to present draft resolution L.12 entitled "Situation of Human Rights in Burundi."

Last week, the Special Rapporteur informed this Council about the worrying situation of human rights in Burundi, where violations and abuses still take place. In particular, he reported a growing number of enforced disappearances, abusive restrictions to fundamental freedoms, and arbitrary arrests. It is also crucial to highlight the importance of an open civic space and political diversity to provide the necessary conditions for inclusive, transparent and credible elections.

Although we recognise Burundi's participation to its recent Universal Periodic Review, the country persists in refusing to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur, as well as the International Criminal Court, which remains competent for the period before Burundi withdrew from the Rome Statute. We encourage Burundi to grant access to the country to the Special Rapporteur and to collaborate fully with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Mr President,

In such circumstances, we are left with no choice but to call on this Council to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for another year. This will ensure continued monitoring of the human rights situation in Burundi, where legislative and local elections are scheduled to take place in 2025.

The European Union has always kept an open door for a constructive dialogue with Burundi, in order to find a consensual way out, for which we all hope.

For these reasons, we call upon all members of this Council to adopt this resolution by consensus.

I thank you.

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