A coalition of 13 leading International NGOs demand Burundi suspension from the UN Human Rights Council. The flagrant refusal to cooperate with the UN human rights system and the gross and systematic violations occurring in the country are the main motives of the suspension.
Martin Nivyabandi: “Burundi needs cooperation without conditions”.
In an open letter to Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives of Member States of the United Nations in Geneva and New York on 26 October, the coalition of the international NGOs urged the UN member states to take urgent actions to suspend Burundi from the UN Human Rights Council-UNHRC following its flagrant refusal to collaborate with the Council and the violations of human rights in the country.
The open letter indicates that if Burundi fails to fully collaborate with the recently mandated Commission of Inquiry on the country, a resolution on Burundi suspension from UNHRC will be made in the 71st session of the General Assembly following the country’s failure to cooperate.
It also refers to the recent report of the United Nations Independent Investigation on Burundi (UNIIB), established pursuant to the Human Rights Council Resolution S-24/1, that found ‘abundant evidence’ of ‘continuing, systematic and gross human rights violations which may amount to crimes against humanity. The UN experts further found that ‘the government should be hugely held accountable for the majority of these violations.
The UN member states are recommended to initiate or support a resolution on the suspension of Burundi from UNHRC during the next session of the latter if violations persist.
“Burundi legally adhered to the UNHRC”
Martin Nivyabandi, Minister of Human Rights, Gender and Social affairs, says Burundi adhered to the UN Human Rights Council after being elected by the UN member states.
“Different attempts to withdraw Burundi from UNHRC have been made but Burundi has defended itself”, says the Minister. Nivyabandi adds that though Burundi continues to partner with the UN Human Rights Council, the national sovereignty must be respected. “There are different UN special envoys who come to Burundi to inquiry about the current situation. We try to show them that the UN experts’ report contained unverified information”, he says.
For him, it is not up to the international organizations to plead for the suspension of Burundi. “The UN should rather engage in technical cooperation for development than put pressure on the country. Burundi needs cooperation without conditions”, he says.
Human Rights Watch, World Organization against Torture (OMCT), International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights are some among the 13 leading International NGOs.
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