PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC54 – UK Statement on Burundi [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 September 2023.
UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi, as delivered at the 54th UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Thank you, Mr President.
The United Kingdom thanks the Special Rapporteur for his report, which recognises that the Government of Burundi has taken some steps in line with their commitment to improving human rights. We welcome these, but also note that the Government has further progress to make before this objective is fully realised.
In particular, we remain concerned about the ability of the people of Burundi to access and enjoy their civil and political rights. We call on Burundi to make genuine reforms to guarantee the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, peaceful assembly and association. An active civil society and free media are cornerstones of democracy, and the government of Burundi should work to ensure civil society, human rights defenders, journalists, bloggers and other media workers can carry out their work safely and independently.
We were also deeply concerned by Burundi’s decision to withdraw its participation during its recent regular review of its adherence to the ICCPR by the Human Rights Committee.
Special Rapporteur,
Your findings show that continued scrutiny by this Council is both justified, and necessary. We again call on the government to cooperate fully with this Council, with your mandate, and with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and other UN bodies working to improve the human rights situation in Burundi, including by reopening the OHCHR country office. What possibility, if any, do you see for a resumption of cooperation through any of these channels?
Thank you.
