A/HRC/RES/42/26
Recalling the announcement of the decision made by the President of Burundi not to
run in the 2020 presidential election, and welcoming the accreditation of opposition parties
as an encouraging sign contributing to attaining a rule-based change of power and opening
up public and democratic space,
Noting the efforts made by the international community, including the African Union
and the East African Community, and the decision made by the Heads of State at the twentieth
Ordinary Summit of the East African Community on 1 February 2019 to consult further on
the inter-Burundian dialogue process, while underlining the importance of determining the
next steps in resolving the Burundian crisis ahead of the 2020 elections,
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Burundi,1 and
taking into consideration the observations and recommendations contained therein, including
those on the importance of the inter-Burundian dialogue as a means to create a conducive
environment in which the country can fulfil its potential and the people of Burundi can enjoy
their rights and freedoms, including participation in credible and inclusive elections, of
stepping up efforts to improve the security, human rights and humanitarian situations in the
country before the 2020 elections, and of re-establishing cooperation with United Nations
human rights mechanisms,
Welcoming the work of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi, including its recent
report2 and the analysis of the risk factors for atrocity crimes contained therein, and deploring
the persistent refusal by the Government of Burundi to cooperate with the Commission,
including the deeply regrettable decision to declare the three members of the Commission of
Inquiry on Burundi personae non gratae,
Deploring the threats, intimidation and personal attacks being directed by
representatives of the Government of Burundi against the members of the Commission of
Inquiry, including during the interactive dialogues held during the sessions of the Human
Rights Council and the Third Committee of the General Assembly,
Deploring also the lack of follow-up to the recommendations made to the Government
of Burundi contained in the previous reports of the Commission of Inquiry,
Encouraging the Government of Burundi to follow up on the recommendations made
by the Subcommittee on Accreditation of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights
Institutions in order to facilitate the return of the Independent National Human Rights
Commission of Burundi to full compliance with the principles relating to the status of
national institutions for the promotion and protection of human right (the Paris Principles),
Deeply regretting the decision made by the Government of Burundi on 5 December
2018 to close the United Nations Human Rights Office in Burundi, while noting the
Government’s commitment to work with United Nations human rights mechanisms after the
closure of the Office and to engage constructively,
1.
Condemns in the strongest terms all persistent human rights violations and
abuses in Burundi, particularly those involving extrajudicial killing, enforced disappearance,
arbitrary arrest and detention, acts of torture and of other ill-treatment, all acts of violence,
including sexual and gender-based violence, persecution directed against members of civil
society, journalists and bloggers, members of the political opposition and demonstrators, and
severe restrictions on the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association and of
movement, contributing to creating a climate of fear and intimidation among the population;
2.
Urges the Government of Burundi to enable a safe and open environment that
ensures the right to freedom of opinion and expression and is conducive to the holding of
free, peaceful, credible, transparent and inclusive elections, in accordance with international
law and standards, and to end the practice of non-voluntary and forced financial contributions
to the organization of elections;
3.
Calls upon all parties to the electoral process to refrain from acts of violence,
harassment and intimidation in the run-up to the elections, and calls upon the authorities to
1
2
2
S/2018/1028.
A/HRC/42/49.