RES/9/19 Advisory services and technical assistance for Burundi

Human Rights Council

Resolution 9/19. Advisory services and technical assistance for Burundi

The Human Rights Council,

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

Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights treaties,

Reaffirming that all Member States have an obligation to promote and protect human

rights and fundamental freedoms as stated in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal

Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other

applicable human rights instruments,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006,

Bearing in mind Commission on Human Rights resolution 2004/82 of 21 April 2004 and

Council resolution 6/5 of 29 September 2007,

Recognizing the efforts made by the United Nations, the African Union, the

European Union, the Political Directorate, South Africa, in its capacity as facilitator, and the

countries of the Regional Peace Initiative to help Burundi to fully re-establish peace and

security in its national territory,

Cognizant of the commitment of the Government of Burundi to engage in dialogue with its

political partners,

1. Takes note with satisfaction of the report of the independent expert on the situation

of human rights in Burundi (A/HRC/9/14);

2. Welcomes the cooperation established between the independent expert and the

Government of Burundi;

page 2 3. Calls upon the Government and the Palipehutu-Forces nationales de libération

(FNL) to continue to work through all the mechanisms established under the Comprehensive

Ceasefire Agreement to ensure its full and immediate implementation, in accordance with the

timetable established in the revised Programme of Action and the mutual commitments

undertaken in June 2008 in Magaliesberg, South Africa;

4. Welcomes the launching of a project to support the national consultations on

transitional justice mechanisms in the context of the peacebuilding process and of Burundi’s

international commitments to this end, and urges the Government to continue its efforts in this

area in collaboration with the United Nations and civil society;

5. Commends the efforts of the Government of Burundi and the Office of the

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and expresses its support for the

Peacebuilding Fund aimed at the establishment of a national human rights commission, in

accordance with the Paris Principles, and calls for this national institution to be established as

soon as possible;

6. Urges the international community to increase its technical and financial assistance

to the Government of Burundi with a view to supporting its efforts to respect and promote

human rights, in particular in the areas of economic and social rights and justice system reform,

and to provide assistance in the preparation of elections;

7. Requests the Office of the High Commissioner, through its presence in Burundi, to

continue its activities and technical assistance programmes in consultation with the Burundi

authorities;

8. Decides to extend the mandate of the independent expert until an independent

national human rights commission has been established;

9. Invites the independent expert to report on his activities to the Council at the session

following the establishment of the above-mentioned commission;

10. Invites the Office of the High Commissioner to report to the Council at its twelfth

session on the progress achieved in the situation of human rights in Burundi and on its activities

page 3 in the country, and to make recommendations on suitable independent mechanisms necessary for

the promotion and protection of human rights in Burundi.

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