The human rights situation in Burundi

Last year on Human Rights Day, I was able to reflect with pride on the work of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in hosting the first Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict. The UK Government has committed to ending the use of these despicable and deliberate crimes as weapons of war, and I felt that we had made good progress that I could celebrate.

This year, my mind is focused on the events occurring in Burundi.

This summer Burundian President Nkurunziza ran for a third term, which the Burundian Constitution prohibits. My colleague Minister Shapps published a blog at the time emphasising the importance of respecting Constitutions and creating a legacy of democracy by avoiding amendments that serve to advantage incumbents.

What concerns me on Human Rights Day is the reaction of the Burundian Government to the protestors who attempted to voice their opinions about the third term. We witnessed over a hundred deaths in a crackdown by the government, as well as arbitrary arrests, detentions, torture, and a lack of judicial process. A number of radio stations were closed, and there is a prohibition on private media.

Worryingly, these cases are alleged to have involved intelligence officials, police, and members of the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) youth league, known as Imbonerakure. I have been especially concerned over the past couple of months by hardening rhetoric from the ruling party which has the potential to inflame violence and stoke ethnic tensions.

To build a strong and prosperous society, its members must feel safe, valued and respected. Yet this kind of abuse by government and state officials means that entire communities can feel at risk and vulnerable, preventing Burundi from becoming the stable, peaceful and prosperous nation all its citizens want to see.

Human Rights matter to everyone, and that is why they matter to the UK Government. What we have seen in Burundi are cruel and degrading actions that rightly shock us. They are also actions that prompt and exacerbate instability. That is why I have been gravely concerned by what I have seen in Burundi, and that is why I have acted against it wherever I can.

The UK Government has strongly condemned the violence in Burundi, as well as repressive activity and attempts to remove from the constitution the principles of the Arusha Accords, which enshrines the ethnic and power balance in Burundi. We are clear that the Burundian government’s refusal thus far to engage in a genuinely inclusive national dialogue has led to an increased risk of civil strife, and a deepening of the refugee crisis.

In response to an escalation in tension following inflammatory rhetoric used by the President of the Senate and the ruling party, I wrote an open letter to the Foreign Minister, Mr Nyamitwe, which you can read here:

I am pleased that following my open letter, and similar pressure from the international community, the Burundian government issued a clarification of their remarks, which drew back from the highly damaging rhetoric the President of the Senate and the ruling party had used.

The human rights situation in Burundi has been and continues to be grave. However, we must keep pressing to prevent human rights abuses wherever we see them, and so the UK Government will continue to condemn abuses and support dialogue going forward.

I plan to visit Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi this month. I will meet members of each government, members of the Burundian opposition, humanitarian organisations and UN agencies. I will listen to regional views on the situation and discuss how the UK and international community could further support steps towards political dialogue. I will emphasise that the eyes of the world are on Burundi. I will call for urgent action, to prevent the country from descending into civil war. And I will give a strong message that the security and safety of the people of Burundi is ultimately the responsibility of the Burundian government.

It is important than on Human Rights Day we take some time to reflect on the work of all Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders. This year, I have been reflecting particularly on those who work to protect their communities from state-sponsored human rights abuses. I hope that the next year will see a peaceful and stable solution to the current crisis in Burundi.