UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Burundi. Delivered by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.
Thank you, Mr. President.
We thank the Special Rapporteur for his timely update and again recognise the ongoing importance of his mandate. We reiterate our call on Burundi to grant him full access to the country.
Mr President, the UK welcomes the peaceful conduct of Burundi's recent legislative elections, as reported by the African Union observer mission.
However, we are concerned by reports of serious irregularities, including voter intimidation, duplicate and fraudulent registrations and the early opening of polling stations without the presence of officials. Opposition parties must be allowed to engage meaningfully in democratic processes.
We call on the government of Burundi to address these issues transparently, to enable the people of Burundi to fully exercise their civil and political rights.
We also remain deeply concerned by ongoing restrictions on human rights defenders and journalists. We urge Burundi to take further steps to protect civic space, and to ensure inclusive governance and political pluralism.
Special Rapporteur,
How can the international community best support Burundi in strengthening its existing democratic processes?
