Thank you, Mr President.
The United Kingdom thanks the Special Rapporteur for this update ahead of his annual report in September and we recognise the continued importance of his mandate.
We note Burundi's stated commitment to improving protections and support for human rights but remain concerned by the limited progress since the Special Rapporteur's last full report. We are particularly concerned by reports of arbitrary detentions and ongoing restrictions on civil society, and by calls for violence against the LGBT+ community. We continue to call for a further opening of civic space as Burundi looks ahead to elections in 2025. An active civil society where human rights defenders and journalists can carry out their work unimpeded, supported by responsible political debate, is essential for the people of Burundi to exercise their civil and political rights fully.
Mr President,
We continue to call upon Burundi to engage meaningfully with this Council and its mechanisms including the Special Rapporteur, and reiterate our wish to see the Special Rapporteur granted access to Burundi to continue this important work.
Special Rapporteur,
Now that Burundi has been elected to the Human Rights Council, how can this Council further support Burundi to uphold its responsibilities under General Assembly Resolution 60/251 to uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights?
