Statement at the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Burundi
Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS
Mr President,
CIVICUS and independent Burundian CSOs welcome the work of the Special Rapporteur.
Serious human rights violations and abuses continue to be committed in Burundi in a context of widespread impunity. The law on foreign NGOs, inconsistent with the State’s human rights obligations, remains in place and represent a significant restriction on the work of CSOs in Burundi. The activities of HRDs and activists were limited by numerous restrictions, including unlawful arbitrary arrests and detentions, and repeated threats and attacks including harassment, intimidation, surveillance and reprisals.
The upsurge in violence against journalists by security forces or alleged members of Imbonerakure, in Burundi is a cause for alarm. The most recent attacks targeted Willy Kwizera from the independent radio station, who was kidnapped for reporting on the living conditions of students and Ahmed Masudi Mugiraneza, from the educational public radio station, who was arrested while covering a peaceful rally by citizens. The past few months in the run-up to the local elections, have been marked by increased pressure over civic space, and severe threats against HRDs, while members of the Imbonerakure continue to commit human rights violations in order to prevent the dissemination of information deemed sensitive by the authorities.
We urge the Government of Burundi to provide a space for every citizen to enjoy the human rights and fundamental freedoms and to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur, including by granting him access to the country and to constructively cooperate with the OHCHR and its regional office.
We thank you.
