Burundi civil society continues to be persecuted and the victim of repeated threats and attacks, while the government is still refusing to cooperate with UN human rights mechanisms, especially the Commission of Inquiry.
On 13 March 2018, ISHR delivered a statement to the 37th session of the Human Rights Council during the interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi. Through its statement, ISHR shed a light on the human rights situation in the country and the daily struggles of human rights defenders.
‘The situation in Burundi is alarming. Burundian civil society actors, and particularly human rights defenders and journalists, have been the primary targets of systematic oppression by the authorities. Journalists and human rights defenders face heightened risks of threats, intimidation, and violent attacks’ says Adélaïde Etong Kame. Burundi is not enabling defenders to work safely, too many are still force to or remain in exile.
In its resolution 36/19, adopted in September 2017, the Human Rights Council ‘urges the Government of Burundi to cooperate fully with the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi’. In addition, a newly appointed President of the Commission of Inquiry, Doudou Diène, invited the Burundian government to review its position and engage in a constructive dialogue with the Commission. This call was echoed by ISHR who called on Burundi to ‘fulfil its obligation to cooperate fully with the UN system and its mechanisms’.
‘We call on the Burundian government to repeal all laws restricting the activities of human rights defenders and investigate abuses committed against them. The law should safeguard and enable the vital work of defenders, not criminalise it’ added ISHR. Indeed, in its report the Commission mentioned the promulgation in January 2017 by Burundi of laws on Burundian non-profit organisations and foreign non-governmental organisations, reinforcing the authorities’ control over the activities and resources of NGOs.
The European Union noted that the government continues to intimidate those collaborating with UN mechanisms and to shrink civil society space in the country. Similarly, Belgium, Czech Republic and France expressed their concern about the threats and attacks against human rights defenders.
While Burundi rejected once again the findings of the Commission, the newly appointed members of the Commission insisted on their will to continue investigate human rights violations committed in the country since 2015 and indicated that their next report would focus on Burundi’s judicial system as well as the protection of economic and social rights in the country.
Watch ISHR’s statement here:
Contact: Adélaïde Etong Kame, ISHR Africa Advocacy Consultant at [email protected]
Photo: Reuters
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