RES/30/27 Technical cooperation and capacity-building for Burundi in the field of human rights

Human Rights Council Thirtieth session

Agenda item 10

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 2 October 2015

30/27. Technical cooperation and capacity-building for Burundi in

the field of human rights

The Human Rights Council,

Guided by the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations,

Reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants

on Human Rights and other relevant international human rights instruments,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006 and Human Rights

Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007,

Reaffirming that all States have the primary responsibility to promote and protect

human rights and fundamental freedoms for all,

Noting the commitment and the efforts of the Government of Burundi to improve

the situation of human rights,

Welcoming the establishment by the Office of the United Nations High

Commissioner for Human Rights of an office in Burundi, and also welcoming the

cooperation of the authorities of Burundi with that office,

Reaffirming that the Arusha Accords, which have been the basis for the Constitution

of Burundi, are the guarantors of preservation, peacebuilding, national reconciliation and

the strengthening of democracy and the rule of law,

Concerned about the information on the situation of human rights in Burundi shared

by the High Commissioner, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights

defenders and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and

guarantees of non-recurrence based on their recent visits to Burundi,

Welcoming the adoption of a resolution on the situation of human rights in Burundi

by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on 7 August 2015, in which it

strongly condemned the various acts of human rights violations and called upon the

Government to make every effort to restore security and the rule of law, and urgently to

investigate human rights violations and to prosecute the alleged perpetrators,

Recognizing the role and the efforts of the Human Rights Council in preventing the

further deterioration of the situation of human rights in Burundi,

1. Calls upon all parties to refrain from any action that could exacerbate

tensions in Burundi, to take into account the best interests of the country and to safeguard

the Arusha Accords, a backbone for peace and democracy;

2. Condemns all alleged violations and abuses of human rights perpetrated by

all parties in Burundi, particularly the restrictions of freedom of expression, of freedom of

the media and of freedom of peaceful assembly and association, the excessive use of force

by the security forces against demonstrators, the use of live ammunition against protesters

resulting in deaths, extrajudicial killings, the arbitrary detention of protesters, acts of torture

and ill-treatment of detainees, the harassment and intimidation of human rights defenders

and journalists, including by armed youth groups affiliated with political parties, and

retributive acts of violence, including targeted assassinations, and encourages the

Government of Burundi to take all necessary measures to prevent all violations and abuses

of human rights in Burundi;

3. Calls upon the authorities of Burundi to conduct thorough and independent

investigations of all violations and abuses of human rights so that all perpetrators,

regardless of their affiliation, are brought to justice;

4. Notes with satisfaction the establishment by the Government of an

independent national commission on human rights;

5. Commends the Government for the standing invitation extended to the special

procedures and its cooperation with those who have visited the country, including the

Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and the Special Rapporteur

on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence;

6. Notes the cooperation of the Government of Burundi with the United Nations

High Commissioner for Human Rights during his visit to Burundi, from 12 to 15 April

2015;

7. Welcomes the cooperation of Burundi with the international human rights

mechanisms, including the Human Rights Committee, the Committee against Torture, the

Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Committee on the Elimination

of Discrimination against Women;

8. Also welcomes the engagement of the Government during the two cycles of

the universal periodic review and its commitment to implement the recommendations that it

has accepted;

9. Expresses its deep concern about the difficult situation of a great number of

Burundian refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries, and calls upon receiving

countries and the international community to continue to provide protection and assistance,

while noting with satisfaction the progress regarding the voluntary return of refugees;

10. Calls upon the authorities of Burundi to ensure the protection of citizens

against intimidation and all acts of violence, and to respect, protect and guarantee all

human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, in line with the country’s international

obligations, and to adhere to the rule of law and undertake transparent accountability for

acts of violence;

11. Welcomes the efforts made at the regional and subregional levels, including

by the East African Community and the Peace and Security Council of the African Union

to monitor the situation of human rights in Burundi and to contribute to its improvement;

12. Also welcomes the deployment by the African Union of human rights

observers and military experts to assist the Government of Burundi in the disarmament of

all illegally armed individuals;

13. Encourages the authorities of Burundi to continue the disarmament of all

illegally armed groups and individuals, and to protect and guarantee the fundamental rights

and freedoms of all, in accordance with their international obligations;

14. Encourages the Government of Burundi to pursue dialogue with all

stakeholders in order to improve the situation of human rights;

15. Requests the High Commissioner to continue to provide and to strengthen his

activities in technical assistance and capacity-building as requested by the Government of

Burundi through his office established in Burundi, and to support the Government’s efforts

to fulfil its human rights obligations;

16. Calls upon the Government of Burundi to cooperate fully with the Office of

the High Commissioner in the implementation of the present resolution;

17. Requests the High Commissioner to engage with the Government of Burundi

to assess and report on the situation of human rights to the country in order for it to fulfil its

human rights obligations;

18. Also requests the High Commissioner to present to the Human Rights

Council, at its thirty-first session, in an interactive dialogue, an oral update and, at its thirty-

second session, a written report in an interactive dialogue on the implementation of the

present resolution;

19. Decides to hold an interactive dialogue at its thirty-third session in the

presence of all relevant stakeholders;

20. Also decides to remain seized of the matter.

42nd meeting

2 October 2015

[Adopted without a vote.]