As the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council approaches, more than 40 Burundian, African, and international NGOs are calling on the Council to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi.
In a joint letter, the signatories point out that, ten years after the 2015 crisis, which remains unresolved, human rights violations persist in a climate of widespread impunity. The current electoral context illustrates this systematic repression: on June 5, 2025, the first elections of the new electoral cycle (which will end with the 2027 presidential election) were won by the ruling party, the CNDD-FDD, with 96% of the vote. These elections were marked by serious irregularities, such as intimidation at polling stations to force voters to support the ruling party, and arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances of opposition activists.
These elections come amid increased repression against the political opposition, dissident voices, and human rights defenders, the vast majority of whom remain in exile, regional security instability, worsening poverty, shortages of essential goods (fuel, sugar), and low public confidence in institutions.
Given the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in Burundi, the international community must remain fully mobilized. Maintaining the Special Rapporteur's mandate is crucial to ensuring independent monitoring, documenting violations, and regularly reporting the situation to the Human Rights Council.
See the letter below:
