STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 63rd Session
Item 4 - Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur
on the situation of human rights in Burundi
Statement delivered by Ambassador Mr. Tormod C. ENDRESEN,
Permanent Representative of Norway on behalf of the Nordic Baltic countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden
18 September 2026
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President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States.
We thank the Special Rapporteur for his latest update and for his valuable efforts to monitor the human rights situation in Burundi.
We remain deeply concerned that the Special Rapporteur continues to be denied access to the country. We call on the Government of Burundi to grant him unhindered access to the country and to provide him with the information necessary to fulfil his mandate.
We further call on the Government of Burundi to engage constructively with the UN human rights mechanisms, including by reopening the OHCHR country office in Burundi.
We are deeply alarmed by continued reports of violations such as enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions and widespread sexual and gender-based violence in Burundi.
As Burundi approaches the 2027 presidential elections, we also reiterate our concern over restrictions on civic and political space. We urge the Burundian authorities to uphold their international human rights obligations, and to prioritise safe and open civic space for this electoral cycle.
Special Rapporteur,
Which concrete measures should the international community take to support civil society and independent media ahead of the 2027 elections?
I thank you.