Two months ahead of Burundi鈥檚 planned local and presidential elections, senior UN-appointed independent rights investigators have urged the Government to reopen the 鈥渄emocratic, civil and political space鈥� there.
鈥淭hese are not only basic human rights, they are also an absolute requirement for the holding of free, transparent and credible elections in a peaceful climate鈥�, said a statement from听the Commissioners听leading the official Geneva-based听Commission Inquiry on Burundi () during an oral briefing to the UN听听on 9 March.
: UN CoI warns that a few months before the elections, the risk of remains serious. The situation is aggravated by sharp downturn in the situation. Full press release:
鈥� HRC SECRETARIAT (@UN_HRC)
The Commission reiterated its warnings that the situation in Burundi continues to worsen 鈥� politically, economically as well as in terms of security.
Of particular concern are the Imbonerakure - members of a youth league linked to President Pierre Nkurunziza鈥檚 ruling party 鈥� and to multiple attacks against opposition politicians and their families.
They have continued to carry out 鈥渒illings, disappearances, arbitrary arrests and detentions, acts of torture and ill-treatment and rape against actual or alleged political opposition members鈥�, the Commissioners warned.
'Voluntary' repatriation?
In addition to widespread impunity for crimes, the investigators also described a worsening humanitarian situation inside and outside the country.
鈥淭he humanitarian situation remains worrying, with 336,000 Burundian refugees in neighboring countries and some being returned in circumstances where the 鈥榲oluntary nature鈥� is questionable,鈥� said Commissioners.
In 2015, President Pierre Nkunrunziza announced that he would seek a third term, reportedly seen by many Burundians as a breach of the constitution, and which led to political unrest and an upsurge of violence in the country, leaving hundreds dead and prompting around half a million to flee the country.
