In the country, assault on civic space is the new normality. In May, the government sus­pen­ded radio broadcasts from the BBC and Voice of America. HRDs who are still present are under constant pressure, or facing arrest. Germain Rukuki, Emmanuel Nshimirimana, Aimé Constant Gatore, and Marius Nizigama have been sentenced to prison terms between 10 and 32 years as reprisals for their human rights work, while Nestor Nibitanga may face 20 years. We are particularly concerned about the physical condition of Germain Rukuki, who needs medical care. Just like hundreds of Burundians, HRDs are also victims of enforced dis­appearances, like Marie-Claudette Kwizera, Treasurer of the Ligue Iteka, who disappeared on 10 December 2015 and whose fate or whereabouts remain unknown.

On 17 May 2018, Burundi held a controversial constitutional referendum. The electoral pro­cess was marred with violence and repression, with arrests, beatings and intimidation of citizens campaigning for a "No” vote.

Mr. President,

From the start, Burundi was unfit to serve as a Council member. In the last two-and-a-half years, its behaviour on this Council has been appalling. Burundi has attempted to weaken the Council and its mechanisms, including the Commission of Inquiry. The multiple state­ments the gov­ern­ment made to boast of its un­willingness to cooperate should have trig­ger­ed action with regard to its membership rights. As a matter of principle, we reiterate that it is not too late for the Council to recommend that the UN General Assembly suspend Burundi.

Thank you for your attention.

For more information, please contact

Hassan Shire
Executive Director, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project
on executive@defenddefenders.org or +256 772 753 753
(English and Somali)