PRESS RELEASE : 43rd Universal Periodic Review – UK Statement on Burundi [May 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 May 2023.
The UK delivered a statement during Burundi’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The United Kingdom welcomes the Government of Burundi’s stated commitment to improving its record on human rights, and certain positive developments since its last review, including the recent acquittal and release of Tony Germain Nkina.
However, we are concerned that the human rights situation in Burundi has not improved sufficiently. We encourage Burundi to make genuine reforms to deliver on its commitment to ensure all of its people benefit from the full enjoyment of their human rights.
We recommend that Burundi:
- Takes effective measures to establish an independent judiciary.
- Engages fully with this Council, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and other UN bodies working to improve the human rights situation in Burundi.
- Identifies and implements policies which facilitate an active civil society, an open media, and addresses in particular threats to journalists and human rights defenders.
Thank you, Madam Vice-President.
