Mr. President,
Human Rights Watch thanks the Special Rapporteur for his oral update and vital work to shine a spotlight on ongoing human rights violations in Burundi – one of the world’s most neglected human rights crises.
On June 5, legislative and local elections took place in a context of severely restricted free speech and political space.
In the days following the vote, Human Rights Watch spoke with local activists, journalists, private citizens, and a member of the ruling party’s youth league – the Imbonerakure – who spoke of intimidation and irregularities in both the lead-up to the election and during the voting.
This followed the decision in December last year to bar opposition candidates from contesting the elections.
Civil society and opposition figures continue to report ongoing harassment, extortion, arbitrary detention, and beatings by the Imbonerakure and the authorities as the government remains deeply hostile to perceived criticism.
Mr. President,
The election has further entrenched authoritarian rule and pushed Burundians further into a deeply rooted governance crisis.
Despite repeated requests, and a standing invitation, Burundi has refused access not only to the county Rapporteur, but also to thematic Special Procedures, for over a decade now as the situation has deteriorated dramatically.
We would like to ask the Special Rapporteur what more this Council could do to support his mandate, and the work of Burundian human rights defenders who continue their work in this challenging context?
Thank you.
