Security Council urges Burundian parties to pursue dialogue

In a statement issued by Council President for October, Román Oyarzun Marchesi of Spain, the 15-member body also expressed its deep concerns about an increase in human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, arbitrary arrests and illegal detentions.

Other concerns cited in the statement included the prevalence of impunity, the daily assassinations, the restricted freedom of expression, and the worsening of the humanitarian situation, as illustrated by the more than 200,000 Burundian citizens seeking refuge.

Further, the Council strongly condemned all human rights violations and acts of unlawful violence committed both by security forces, militias and other illegal armed groups. It expressed its determination to bring perpetrators of such acts to justice and welcomed the African Union's decision to launch investigations into those cases.

Recalling the importance of respecting the nation's Constitution as well as the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement of August 2000, the Council urged all stakeholders to reject armed rebellion, and engage in dialogue.

It also emphasized the importance of the mediation efforts led by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on behalf of the East African Community and as endorsed by the African Union, as well as the importance of urgently resuming that process.

The Council welcomed the decision of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union to increase the number of its human rights observers and military experts in Burundi, and noted the Union's decision to impose sanctions against the stakeholders perpetuating violence and impeding the search for a solution.

Photo: UNICEF Burundi/Eliane Luthi