Burundi’s Election Countdown Amid Deteriorating Human Rights Conditions

The UN has urged Burundi to restore democratic freedoms ahead of the elections, citing worsening human rights violations by the ruling party’s youth league, Imbonerakure, alongside concerns over political violence and humanitarian crises affecting refugees.

In light of the upcoming local and presidential elections in Burundi, scheduled for two months from now, senior UN-appointed independent rights investigators have called on the Government to restore a more open and democratic environment. The Commissioners leading the Commission Inquiry on Burundi (COIB) emphasized the necessity of basic human rights for ensuring free and credible elections in a peaceful atmosphere.

The Commission has expressed serious concerns regarding the deteriorating political, economic, and security conditions in Burundi. Notably, the Imbonerakure, a youth league affiliated with President Pierre Nkurunziza’s ruling party, are linked to numerous attacks against opposition politicians and their families, which include killings, disappearances, and torture.

Moreover, the investigators warned of escalating humanitarian issues, highlighting that there are 336,000 Burundian refugees in neighboring countries. They criticized the questionable nature of repatriation efforts, suggesting that many individuals are being returned under duress rather than through voluntary means. The political turmoil in 2015 over President Nkurunziza’s pursuit of a third term has resulted in significant violence, displacing hundreds of thousands.

The upcoming elections in Burundi are overshadowed by worsening human rights conditions, with a particular focus on the violent actions of the Imbonerakure against political opposition. The UN independent rights investigators urge the reopening of democratic spaces to facilitate credible elections while highlighting the critical humanitarian situation involving a significant refugee population. The legacy of political unrest since 2015 continues to impact the nation profoundly.

Original Source: news.un.org