The United Kingdom on Friday urged Burundi to address “serious irregularities” in its June elections and to reopen the UN human rights office, during the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
“We urge the government of Burundi to allow [the Special Rapporteur] full access and to reopen the OHCHR country office,” the UK statement said. “We note with concern the serious irregularities reflected in this report, including voter intimidation, fraudulent registrations, shrinking civic space, and the suppression of opposition voices.”
While welcoming the “non-violent and timely” conduct of the polls, the UK called on Bujumbura to protect civil liberties and revise laws that restrict media freedom. It also pressed for “impartial investigations and judicial independence, especially with regards to arbitrary arrests and detentions, and enforced disappearances.”
Rights groups have echoed those concerns. Human Rights Watch said the ruling CNDD-FDD party “won in an election without opposition” after securing 96.5% of the vote and sweeping all National Assembly seats amid intimidation and restrictions.
The UN human rights office in Burundi was closed in 2019 at the government’s request, after more than 20 years of operation. The move drew criticism from civil society and international partners, who argued it further weakened oversight of rights abuses.
