Governments should support the work of human rights defenders, not undermine it. Yet in Burundi, the situation of human rights defenders remains alarming and still deserves the Human Rights Council’s full attention. In Burundi, defenders are systematically criminalised in a deliberate and continuous attempt to silence civil society voices.
On 17 September 2018, the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on Burundi presented its report, highlighting the human rights violations affecting civil society members in Burundi and their long-lasting physical and psychological effects. The CoI also noted the consequences that these violations have on defenders’ relatives, namely the threats that their partners and children are often the victims of.
In an oral statement delivered before the Human Rights Council, ISHR highlighted the deteriorating situation faced by defenders in the country especially during the last referendum which granted President Nkurunziza the right to stay in office until 2034.
‘During the president’s campaign, citizens were kidnapped, murdered and arbitrarily arrested for expressing dissenting opinions,’ said Adélaïde Etong Kame, ISHR Africa Advocacy Consultant. In light of the current situation, ISHR called on the Council to renew the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry to ensure that the situation continues to be monitored and that victims are not forgotten.
ISHR also noted with regret the decision of the Burundian government to declare the members of the CoI persona non grata. This attitude once again demonstrates the bad faith and unwillingness of the government to cooperate with the international mechanism in order to improve the human rights situation in the country.
Once again, Burundi rejected the content of the CoI report, claiming that it was politically motivated. Additionally, the Burundian government reiterated its refusal to cooperate with the international mechanisms such as the Commission of Inquiry.
To reinforce its call to the Burundian authorities, ISHR joined other NGOs in a joint statement urging Burundi to release defenders who have been arbitrarily detained or imprisoned because of their work as defenders, including Germain Rukuki sentenced to 32 years of detention last April.
Watch the statement here:
Contact: Adélaïde Etong Kame, Africa Advocacy Consultant, [email protected]
Photo: UN webtv
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