Statement at the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Human Rights -- Outcome Adoption for Burundi
Delivered by Pierre-Claver MBONIMPA , Association Burundaise pour la Protection des Droits Humains et des Personnes Détenues
Thank you, Mr President,
Association Burundaise pour la Protection des Droits Humains et des Personnes Détenues (APRODH) and CIVICUS welcome the government of Burundi’s engagement with the UPR process.
We welcome the government’s support to 25 out of 30 recommendations related to civic space made during its 4th cycle review. In particular, we welcome the government’s commitment to ending intimidation, harassment and reprisals against human rights defenders, journalists and members of the opposition and civil society.
However, we remain concerned by the ongoing restriction and repression facing civil society actors and human rights defenders in Burundi. Repression of dissident voices has had a chilling effect across Burundi, meaning many human rights defenders and journalists continue to operate in a climate of fear and self-censorship. We call on Burundi to take concrete and consistent steps to create and maintain a safe and enabling environment for civil society and human rights defenders.
We regret that Burundi has noted a number of recommendations related to civic space, in particular those related to ensuring accountability for human rights violations as well as recommendations on activities of several human rights protection associations which remain suspended or outlawed. We underscore Burundi’s obligations under international law to respect the right to freedom of association and the importance of upholding rule of law to create trust in public institutions.
APRODH and CIVICUS call on the Government of Burundi to fully implement the recommendations made during its 4th cycle and urge the international community to continue to monitor the human rights situation on the ground. We also call on Burundi to demonstrate its commitment to human rights by fully cooperating with the UN human rights system, including OHCHR, Special Procedures and UN Treaty Bodies.
We thank you.
