Mr. President,
Human Rights Watch thanks the Special Rapporteur for his report. The human rights situation in Burundi remains deeply concerning, with risk factors for serious human rights violations and atrocity crimes on the rise.
Despite some government rhetoric, Burundi has not implemented meaningful reforms to address long-standing concerns related to governance, justice, or accountability. Grave abuses persist with impunity, including extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and detention, torture, and sexual and gender-based violence. Freedoms of expression, assembly, and association remain severely restricted, and economic and social rights are routinely violated.
The legislative and local elections held from June to August were marred by serious irregularities. The ruling party, CNDD-FDD, won nearly all seats, following widespread reports of intimidation, harassment, and exclusion of opposition candidates. These elections marked the start of a long electoral cycle leading to the 2027 presidential vote, during which the risk of further abuse is high.
Meanwhile, the credibility of Burundi’s National Human Rights Commission has collapsed. Its former president fled the country, and the current leadership lacks independence.
The conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo has had significant humanitarian and security repercussions in Burundi, including due to the massive influx of people fleeing the fighting.
In this context, we urge the Council to renew the Special Rapporteur’s mandate. Burundi needs to fully cooperate with the mandate, reopen the OHCHR country office, and take concrete steps to restore civic space and advance accountability.
Thank you.
