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PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA in GENEVA
The 32nd Session of the Human Rights Council
Item 10 – Interactive Dialogue on Burundi <Check against delivery>
Geneva, 29 June 2016
Statement of the Republic of Korea
Thank you, Mr. President,
My delegation notes with appreciation the report of the High Commissioner on the human rights situation in Burundi, A/HRC/32/30. We are of the view that this report is a stark reminder of how serious the political crisis is in the country.
As the report indicates, since April in 2015, the tense and volatile political situation in Burundi has continued amid the growing human rights violations and abuses perpetrated with impunity. In particular, we remain deeply concerned about numerous cases of killings, forced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and detentions which show no sign of abating. We also wish to echo the High Commissioner’s concern that there are deeply disturbing allegations of ethnic-based hate speech against Tutsis during a recent public rally in the south of the country.
Equally worrying is the continuing persecution and threats against civil society actors, journalists, member of the opposition parties, etc. This grave situation not only creates a climate of fear that shrinks civil society space, but also presents the risk of escalation of the current crisis into a conflict of even greater consequences.
Against this backdrop, it is encouraging to note the recent positive developments such as the openings of political dialogue in Arusha and Brussels, a significant decrease in extrajudicial executions, and the UN independent investigation team’s second visit to the country. However, given the gravity of the situation, we believe that the Government of Burundi and other parties should redouble their efforts to end the ongoing political confrontations and prevent a further deterioration of the situation.
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Among others, we reiterate the importance of holding a truly inclusive political dialogue. While welcoming all the efforts made at both the regional and international levels in this regard, we call upon all the stakeholders, especially the Government of Burundi, to ensure that all parties of the current crisis participate in future dialogues.
It is our belief that only a genuine and inclusive dialogue can lay a solid foundation for long-term stability and national reconciliation in Burundi.
Finally, we hope that as a member of the Council, Burundi will continue to cooperate with the Council and the OHCHR by taking concrete measures as recommended in the report, including ensuring the unhindered activities of the independent experts for the investigation work.
Thank you, Mr. President. /End/
