Extend mandate of Commission of Inquiry on Burundi to September 2020 – civil society
Published: 2 Aug 2019
Ahead of the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC42), the International Refugee Rights Initiative (IRRI) together with 40 other national, regional and international civil society organisations have called upon the Council to support a resolution to extend the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on Burundi for a further year, until September 2020.
In a letter highlighting the gross violations of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of the people of Burundi documented by the CoI between 2017 and 2018, the civil society organisations assert that an extension of the CoI mandate would not only address situations of human rights violations, but would also advance accountability as well as facilitate structures and systems to follow up on its actions and recommendations.
The Council should also request the CoI to prepare a report with a specific focus on elections and risk factors of human rights violations and abuses and to present it during an enhanced interactive dialogue at the Council’s 43rd session, the letter reads in part.
Read the full letter in English or in French.