A/HRC/RES/45/19 Reaffirming full respect for the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Burundi, Reaffirming also that States have the obligation to respect, protect and fulfil all human rights and fundamental freedoms, Stressing the primary responsibility of the Government of Burundi for ensuring security in its territory and protecting its population in compliance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law, as applicable, Recalling the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi, which is rooted in the principles of human rights and transitional justice and provides the foundation for peace, justice, national reconciliation, security and stability in Burundi, Considering that the international community and the United Nations system, including the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms, can play a critical role in strengthening the protection of human rights, preventing human rights violations and abuses and mitigating the risk of escalation of conflict and deterioration in humanitarian situations, Noting that the Constitutional Court of Burundi has validated the results of the general elections of 20 May 2020, welcoming the high voter turnout and the lack of major incidents on election day, and taking note of statements regarding the lack of transparency and fairness made by national observers in the absence of international observer organizations, Noting also the positive role played by the National Independent Commission on Human Rights in preventing violence, mainly between youth wings of the two main political parties engaged in the elections, Underlining that the peaceful transfer of power is an opportunity for Burundi to commit to human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law, welcoming the fact that the priorities announced by the newly elected President of Burundi in his inauguration speech of 18 June 2020 included political reconciliation, the fight against corruption, reform of the judiciary and accountability for officials who committed offences, and reiterating its readiness to collaborate with the newly elected Government on these issues, Expressing utmost appreciation for the work of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi, including its most recent report on the situation of human rights in Burundi,3 while deploring the persistent refusal by the Government of Burundi to cooperate with the Commission, its regrettable decision to declare the three members of the Commission personae non gratae and its dismissal of the Commission’s findings, Deeply regretting the lack of follow-up to the recommendations made to the Government of Burundi contained in the previous reports of the Commission of Inquiry, Regretting that, since the decision made by the Government of Burundi to close the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Burundi on 28 February 2019, the Government has only selectively cooperated with the Office and the United Nations human rights mechanisms, 1. Condemns in the strongest terms all human rights violations and abuses committed in Burundi, including in the context of the recent election process, and including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and detention, acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, acts of violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, intimidation, political intolerance, harassment, destruction and theft of property, notably against members of opposition political parties, civil society representatives, human rights defenders, demonstrators, journalists, bloggers and other media workers, and also condemns the severe restrictions on fundamental freedoms, in particular the freedoms of opinion and expression, peaceful assembly and association, thereby contributing to creating a climate of fear and intimidation among the population; 2. Deplores that the campaign and the election took place without international observers, and notes with deep concern the statements made by national election observers, in particular the Catholic Church in Burundi and opposition parties, expressing grave concern 3 2 A/HRC/45/32.