YouSaid · the spoken record

Shingiro

lines on the record: 336
first: 2013-01-24
most recent: 2019-10-30
sittings or episodes: 20
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“The National Council of Communication of welcomed the apology of the BBC and awaits the follow-up to the right of reply that BBC radio promised the Government of Burundi to quickly close this issue in a constructive spirit. My delegation encourages the Voice ofAmerica, which recognized in its 18 May letter that it had broadcast biased information on Burundi, to do the same. With regard to dialogue as a means of peacebuilding and the peaceful resolution of political disputes, Burundi reiterates its commitment to peacebuilding, unity, stability, social cohesion, national harmony, the rule of law and the ongoing democratic order through sustained dialogue. With regard to the security situation, Burundi remains firmly committed to peace, stability and national reconciliation. The security situation is generally stable throughout Burundi.”
2018-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8268 (2018) · source
“After a rigorous investigation, the BBC World Service, in its 11 May letter addressed to the President of Burundi's National Communication Council, acknowledged that journalists involved in arranging and conducting an interview with a guest who had ties to the Burundian radical opposition had acted in violation of the professional ethics and strict rules of the BBC. After the admission of the facts, the management of the BBC presented its official apology to the National Communication Council in its 11 May letter. In the same letter, the BBC undertook to spare no effort to ensure that such breaches of journalistic ethics would not recur in future.”
2018-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8268 (2018) · source
“As soon as polling stations opened, 15 public and private radio stations provided live coverage of the elections in real time in the four most widely spoken languages in Burundi. That ongoing media presence reinforced the degree of transparency of the voting, as did the major presence of the political representatives of each party and political coalition in all polling stations - with the right to confirm the results of the voting operations after counting the votes. Speaking of the media, I would note that Burundi was recently unfairly and prematurely condemned by some of its partners for having temporarily suspended the broadcasting ofthe British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and the Voice of America for flagrant violations ofjournalism standards.”
2018-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8268 (2018) · source
“In the event that that recidivist actor does not withdraw his groundless challenge, wisdom and the rule of law quite naturally oblige him to comply with the electoral code by using the competent legal mechanisms for litigating electoral disputes. A few delegations in the Chamber today made statements taking shots at the recently concluded referendum process. They are the same delegations that put forward alarmist scenarios before the referendum, which nevertheless, fortunately, took place under very good conditions. I would say to those delegations that the referendum is a victim of its own success. With regard to media coverage of the referendum, my delegation commends the outstanding synergy between the public and private media.”
2018-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8268 (2018) · source
“The degree of patriotism that has developed among Burundians since 2015 will leave no cracks for any attempt from abroad to destabilize the country to exploit it. So far, only one political actor, the leader of an independent coalition called Amizero y'Abarundi, out of the 26 parties that took part in the elections, has contested, without convincing anyone, the outcome of the referendum. That was done even before the provisional official results were published by the competent body, the Independent National Electoral Commission. It should be recalled that that political actor has never recognized any electoral results since he entered politics. His denial of the results is a repeat offence in that he has denied the results of all the elections in which he has participated.”
2018-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8268 (2018) · source
“All the substantive articles - I repeat, all the substantive articles - of the Arusha Agreement guaranteeing democratic principles, sovereignty, social cohesion, political stability, national unity, socialjustice, the protection of minorities, ethnic and gender quotas in institutions, term limits and the protection of human rights have been maintained or even strengthened. What is being said about supposed non-respect for the Arusha Agreement is manipulation of opinion and the will of certain outside actors to destabilize our country. That behaviour, which has manifested itself since 2015, is not dead and buried. Of that we are very aware. The people of Burundi remain very vigilant so as to safeguard their unity and cohesion.”
2018-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8268 (2018) · source
“My delegation recalls in passing that the constitutional reform that was just successfully completed was the result of broad consultations conducted over more than a year with the Burundian population in all its diversity. That was an exercise aimed at the country's long-term stability, in particular by ending the transitional period under the current 2005 Constitution. At the substantive level, the new Constitution fully respects the 2000 Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi, to which the Government attaches great importance.”
2018-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8268 (2018) · source
“The campaign was very lively, pluralistic, colourful and inclusive. In total, in addition to the ruling party, 25 political parties and opposition coalitions participated in a peaceful election campaign throughout the country, with a high sense ofpolitical tolerance between those in favour of the "yes" side and those in favour of the "no" side as to the revised Constitution. By voting 73.26 per cent in favour of the new Constitution with such record participation, the Burundian people once again reaffirmed their sovereignty, unity in diversity, social cohesion, political tolerance, patriotism, bravery and will to definitively take ownership of their country's political, economic and cultural governance. The date of 17 May 2018 will remain an unforgettable red-letter day in Burundi's political history.”
2018-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8268 (2018) · source
“According to the provisional national results announced on Monday, 21 May by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the "yes" to Burundi's new Constitution won by a large margin, with 73.26 per cent of the vote, as well as with a record participation rate of 96.24 per cent. Through the referendum, the Burundian people demonstrated to the international community their political maturity and their capacity to organize free, transparent and peaceful democratic elections, and especially with a budget made up entirely of Burundian funds. The referendum and the two-week campaign preceding it took place in very good conditions throughout the country and across the diaspora. No major incidents were reported to the Electoral Commission during the entire process up to election day.”
2018-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8268 (2018) · source
“I would also like to thank Ambassador Jiirg Lauber, my colleague from Switzerland, Chair of the Burundi configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, for his positive and growing role in the peacebuilding process in my country, Burundi. I cannot help but thank the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr. Michel Kafando, for his briefing to the Council this morning. The purpose of my statement is to share with the Security Council the latest developments in Burundi since the Council's previous briefing, three months ago here in the Chamber, on the situation in my country (see S/PV.8189). On the political front, on 17 May, Burundi concluded its constitutional referendum with resounding success.”
2018-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8268 (2018) · source
“Mr. Shingiro (Burundi) (spoke in French): At the outset, Madam President, I would like to congratulate you personally and your country, Poland, on your assumption of the rotating presidency of the Security Council for the month of May. You can count on the full support and cooperation of my delegation for the remaining days of your mandate. Through you, I would also like to thank the other members of the Council that have always supported respect for the principles and values of the Charter of the United Nations in addressiing the situation in Burundi - although some delegations remain imprisoned or brainwashed in their 2015 rhetoric without moving in parallel with the evolving situation in the country.”
2018-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8268 (2018) · source
“I recall that there is no objective criterion that justifies maintaining on the Council's agenda the item on the situation in Burundi, a country that - as my colleague from Ethiopia noted - has more than 6,000 peacekeepers in United Nations and African Union peacekeeping missions.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“In mid-January, Burundi asked the Office ofthe High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva to propose to the Burundian side new dates for the resumption of discussions. Bujumbura awaits Geneva's response in this regard. For its part, the Government of Burundi reiterates its willingness to cooperate fully with the United Nations and other partners in a spirit of mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation and in accordance with the rules of the game enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. In conclusion, allow me to ask the Council to consider, to the extent possible, removing Burundi from its agenda since the situation in the country is generally calm and presents no threat to peace and international security, which is the main mission of the Council.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“As a result of this lack of cooperation, the Government of Burundi, through its communique of 21 February, requested OCHA officials to work closely with the Burundian side to draw up a consensual report in keeping with the realities of the situation. The Government is willing to cooperate fully with OCHA in this regard. With regard to cooperation with the United Nations, as many speakers have noted and as referred to in paragraphs 28, 42 and 43 of the report, Burundi maintains its desire to strengthen and sustain its relations with the United Nations and its branches on the ground. The draft agreement with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is under discussion between the two parties.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“From 2016 to today, more than 200,000 Burundians have returned to the country on a voluntary basis, including 13,000 between August and December 2017, as my colleague Mr. Lauber noted. In 2018, Burundi expects more than 60,000 returnees from the region. In the humanitarian field, my delegation appreciates any initiative of the international community to assist those in need, especially those in emergency situations, be it through the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) or any other humanitarian organization. My delegation wishes to note, however, OCHA's lack of cooperation with the sectoral ministries concerned with humanitarian issues and the inflation ofnumbers in its preparation ofits 2018 humanitarian response plan for Burundi.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“Fifteen arrest warrants issued against leaders of political parties and of civil society have been cancelled. More than 2,000 prisoners have been released. Such gestures should be supported and rewarded by the Council. With regard to the return of refugees who fled the country in 2015, highlighted in paragraph 23 of the report, the Government of Burundi and subregional organizations continue to request that refugees return home to assist with the reconstruction of Burundi. It is thanks to the return to normalcy in the country, the pace of the voluntary repatriation of refugees has been satisfactory with the return of thousands of citizens who sought refuge in Tanzania and the wider region.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“Burundi was on the agenda at the twenty-ninth session ofthe Universal Periodic Review on 18 January. During that meeting, Burundi welcomed constructive recommendations from Member States and regretted the fact that some were politicized, selective and demonstrated double standards. With regard to national reconciliation, during his message to the nation on 31 December 2017, the President of the Republic pardoned approximately 2,000 prisoners, many ofwhom have been released. Others are about to join their families. Gestures of peace have also been made following the coup d'etat during the 2015 elections. Two private radio stations that were destroyed within a few hours following the attempted coup d'etat on 13 May 2015 have been re-opened.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“At the institutional level, Burundi remains very committed to protecting human rights through several national mechanisms, including the National Independent Human Rights Commission, which enjoys a status compliant with the Paris principles; the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; the National Observatory for the Prevention and Eradication of Genocide, War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity; the National Council for Unity and Reconciliation, the legal arsenal that abolished the death penalty in Burundi, as well as the myriad international conventions that have been ratified by the State of Burundi, including the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. In addition, Burundi has submitted its report to the Universal Periodic Review, summarizing progress made and the challenges pending in the area of human rights.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“With regard to standard-setting, various legal texts have been adopted, such as rules governing public meetings and demonstrations, the establishment of a special court for land tenure and other goods, the suppression of human trafficking and protection for Victims of trafficking in persons, protection for victims, witnesses and other people in at-risk situations, preventing and reducing the incidences of gender- based violence, protecting the victims of gender-based violence, the press and non-profit organizations.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“That part of the report, which singles out some young people in Burundi and not others, breaches the principle of neutrality recognized by the Charter of the United Nations. With regard to human rights, I thank my colleague from Cote d'Ivoire, who drew my Government's attention to the human rights situation, of which we took note. Paragraphs 24 to 28 of the report addresses the human rights situation in the country. It must be underscored that despite the challenges we face, which are not exclusive to Burundi, the country has made significant progress at standard-setting and institutional levels.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“That statement was made by the elected members of the region with regard to the security situation in Burundi. In addition, my delegation rejects paragraphs 20 and 41 of the report, which seek to single out the youth wing of the ruling party - Imbonerakure - as being responsible for instances of insecurity, instead of directly calling for restraint among all young people affiliated to political parties - ruling and opposition parties alike because security in Burundi, like elsewhere, affects us all. The paragraphs are similar to other parts of the report that underscore its bias. I stress that there was no mention of young people in opposition parties, some of whom fled the country after killing and raping several innocent people, destroying public goods and preventing children from attending school during the 2015 elections.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“It must also be underscored that the mass return of refugees to the country and the fact that the Government of Burundi will be organizing and hosting the twentieth summit of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, following several field assessment missions, demonstrates that normalcy has returned to our country. In addition to those positive developments, a large delegation of elected members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) visited Burundi. According to them, "We have seen and can confirm that the country is peaceful and calm. We call upon all elected members of the EALA to spread the word about Burundi's peaceful security environment. We also call upon investors, not only within the East African community, but also throughout the entire world, to invest in Burundi in an effort to boost its economy".”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“Contrary to paragraph 4 of the report, the new draft Constitution guarantees peace and stability, protection for the opposition, the protection of human rights and minorities, the protection of our national sovereignty, as well as ethnic and gender quotas, as stipulated in the 2000 Arusha Accords. All substantive articles of the Arusha Accords have been retained in the draft amendment. The security situation is generally good throughout the entire territory, with the exception of some isolated instances of crime, not exclusive to Burundi, as underscored by the Special Envoy and other speakers. This is the real situation on the ground in Burundi. The country has taken an irreversible step forward on the path to peace, stability and national reconciliation.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“Such double standards in addressing the various situations within Member States must be discouraged so as not to set a dangerous precedent. In addition, in accordance with article 297 of the current Constitution of Burundi, the initiative to amend the Constitution lies with the President of the Republic, following consultations with the Government, the National Assembly and the Senate and on an absolute majority vote of their members. Article 298 of the Constitution states that "[t]he President of the Republic can submit to referendum a bill of amendment of the Constitution". In the light of those articles, it is clear that any request or comment that is above and beyond those two provisions violates the Constitution.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“The reference in the report to the review of the Constitution in Burundi in paragraphs 4 and 8 is a bold step that interferes in Burundi's domestic affairs. The Council should take note, since it is at variance with the Charter of the United Nations and is critical of the sovereign right of the Burundian people to amend their Constitution, but, in the past, the United Nations has not voiced its concerns in similar cases of constitutional amendments in the region or elsewhere in the world. The same report breaches Article 2 of the Charter of the United Nations, which stipulates that "The Organization and its Members, in pursuit of the Purposes stated in Article 1, shall act in accordance with the principle of the sovereign equality of all its Members".”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“It is clear that the United Nations and its Member States are in no way empowered to discuss the constitutional affairs of sovereign States. In assuming the right to comment on the draft constitutional referendum in Burundi, in paragraph 35 of the report, the Organization is flagrantly violating the principle of respect for the sovereign equality of States enshrined in in Article 2.7 of the Charter of the United Nations, which states "Nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorize the United Nations to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state or shall require the Members to submit such matters to settlement under the present Charter".”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“The nineteenth Summit of Heads of State of the East African Community also reaffirmed the continued regional ownership of the inter-Burundi dialogue process by the East African Community and reiterated the commitment to financing and rapidly concluding the process under the exclusive leadership of the region. As regards the revision ofthe Constitution, it should be recalled that the ongoing constitutional reform is the result of extensive consultations conducted over more than a year with the Burundian population in all its diversity. It is an exercise that is undertaken exclusively in the framework of Burundi's national sovereignty and that aims - contrarily to the concerns expressed by some - at ensuring the long-term stability of the country by the end of the transitional period under the present Constitution.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“While the Secretary-General's report speaks of a dialogue process that has died, the final communique' of the Summit of Heads of State of the East African Community, held in Kampala on Friday, 23 February, expressed appreciation for the excellent work already done by the mediation and facilitation of the inter-Burundian dialogue, led respectively by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda and former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Benjamin William Mkapa. This deep gap between the appreciation of the region, which is close to Burundi geographically, politically and culturally, and the pessimistic position expressed in the report and by certain actors outside the framework of the inter-Burundian dialogue, constitutes an anomaly that should draw the Council's attention.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“All of this highlights the transparency of the process. The inter-Burundi dialogue, led with the facilitation ofthe East African Community, is proceeding normally. At the fourth session held in Arusha, Tanzania, from 27 November to 8 December 2017, participants were able to make progress because there were more points of convergence than of divergence. That is what we call progress. Contrary to what is said in paragraphs 9 and 14 of the Secretary-General's report, as well as in the section on observations and comments, the dialogue is not at a standstill.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“The priority of the Government in all this is to bring these two major electoral events to fruition by creating a priori an environment conducive to the organization of democratic, free, transparent and, above all, peaceful elections. The registration operation for both elections was conducted in excellent conditions from 8 to 17 February throughout the country and in the diaspora. Provisional figures show that, in total, more than 5 million Burundians registered on the electoral roll, with a slightly larger number of women than men, which we welcome. This morning, the Independent National Electoral Commission organized a guided tour open to all - political parties, civil society, partners and Government - through the data-processing centre for the establishment of the electoral roll.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“I take note of the report of the Secretary- General on the situation in Burundi (S/2018/89), which Mr. Kafando introduced, although my delegation does not agree with all its contents, to which I will revert later in my statement. My thanks also go to my colleague Mr. Jiirg Lauber, President of the Burundi configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, for his contribution to the peacebuilding process in Burundi. We again pledge him our long-standing cooperation. The purpose of my statement is to share with the Council the new developments in Burundi since its previous meeting on this item in November last year (see S/PV.8109). At the political level, Burundi is already preparing for the constitutional referendum of 2018 and the general elections of 2020.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“Mr. Shingiro (Burundi) (spoke in French): As this is the first time that my delegation has taken the floor under your presidency, Sir, I wish first of all to offer you my warm congratulations on your deserved assuption of the presidency of the Council for the month of February, which you have exercised with brio. We bore witness this past weekend to your efforts with respect to a State Member of the United Nations. Let me also thank the Security Council as a whole for its constructive contribution to the Burundi peace process, and especially for its commitment to the national sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of my country, Burundi. I welcome the presence among us of Mr. Michel Kafando, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Burundi.”
2018-02-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8189 (2018) · source
“It simply asks that it be treated on its merits and in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and of international law. Moreover, I must say that, thanks to the renewed peace and undeniable control of the situation on the ground, Burundi is not a threat to international peace and security. Based on that observation, the Security Council should consider in the near future to remove Burundi from the list of countries that are on its agenda, so as to address other areas ofrecent emerging tensions.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“The Special Envoy mentioned that before my statement. In conclusion, my delegation wishes to reiterate once again that Burundi has, for more than two years, been subjected to disproportionate political and diplomatic pressure, which intentionally obscures the progress already made and has led to the unjust double-standard treatment over other Member States of the United Nations. That long-standing attitude must cease and give way to fair and equitable treatment. We know that all is not perfect here as elsewhere, but we remain convinced that it is not possible to resolve political misunderstandings by intensifying pressures through political reports and declarations. Burundi is not asking for preferential treatment - far from it.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“With regard to cooperation between Burundi and the United Nations, that is a subject of paramount importance for partners here. Burundi, just as the members of the Council, maintains the same commitment to strengthen and enhance its relations with the United Nations, in strict respect of its sovereignty and the free will of Burundians, within the framework of its political future. In order to ensure the United Nations presence in the human rights sphere, the draft cooperation agreement with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is being discussed between the two parties and is in its final phase. In the case of the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, both parties have agreed to designate ad hoc teams to negotiate and finalize a cooperation agreement.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“More than 100,025 Burundians repatriated themselves in 2016, with more than 68,000 up to 15 August, and 7,549 officially after the tripartite meeting held from 29 to 31 August. According to the planning of that meeting, at least 13,000 refugees will have been officially repatriated from the neighbouring countries of Burundi between 7 September to 31 December. To recap, we estimate that from 2016 to today, more than 175,000 refugees have already returned to their country voluntarily. To encourage the voluntary return movement, the Minister of the Interior paid a working visit to the refugee camps in Tanzania from 15 to 17 November. At the end of his visit, the observation was that more than 40,000 refugees in Tanzania, including 26,000 in the Nduta camp, hd registered to voluntarily return to Burundi before the end of the year.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“It is similarly very important for the host countries that have generously welcomed Burundian refugees to respect the civilian nature of the refugee camps, in accordance with the requirements of the same Convention and the various appeals of the Council. Those present are aware that the repatriation of refugees is a guarantee of subregional stability, now that among those who have fled, some, including minors, have been recruited, trained, supervised and subsequently enrolled in rebel movements against Burundi. All of that is in flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and other relevant conventions; the related report of Council is available to the public. The voluntary repatriation movement continues at a satisfactory pace with the arrival of several thousand citizens who had fled to Tanzania.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“With regard to the return of refugees who fled the country for various reasons - which is of great importance - the Government of Burundi continues to call on refugees to return to help build a peaceful, stable and prosperous Burundi. The seventh Summit of Heads of State and Government of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region, which brings together 12 countries and took place on 19 October in Brazzaville, made an enrgetic appeal to the countries of the region that welcomed Burundian refugees to facilitate their voluntary return to their native country. And for those who do not wish to return to their country immediately, for one reason or another, the Summit itself urged host countries to resettle them far from common borders, as stipulated in the 1951 Convention relating to the status of refugees.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“The Commission has already done an excellent job to date, and it deserves the support of the international community to bring its task to a successful conclusion. On 8 November, the Chair of the Burundi configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, who is here with us, emphasized the importance of lending support to the national reconciliation process. Furthermore, the National Assembly adopted a bill few months ago on the functional role of the national council for unity and reconciliation. The new council will work towards unity, equity and reconciliation of the Burundian people and will also be at the forefront in promoting positive values in our country.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“The international community therefore should break from that counterproductive stance and address the suffering of the peoples of the world with the same level of attention, and with no other geopolitical considerations. With respect to national reconciliation, the Government of Burundi, under the leadership of President Pierre Nkurunziza, established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as part of the last phase of the establishment of the institutions provided for in the Arusha agreement in 2000. The members of the Commission have been called upon to move quickly to inform Burundians about the successes and failures of the past, with a View to saying goodbye to the political-ethnic antagonisms that have marked the dark history of our country, and thereby build a bright future for present and future generations.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“Those objectives were mandated to it by the General Assembly when it was created on 15 March 2006 and fortified during the establishment of the mechanism of the Universal Periodic Review on 18 June 2007. Regrettably, some members have become accustomed to achieving the adoption of resolutions by the Human Rights Council, and other mechanisms established by it, to advance hidden agendas in carefully targeted countries, while turning a blind eye to massive human rights Violations in countries under their protection. It cannot be said enough that politicization, selectivity and double standards, which are starting tobecome blatant in the specific case of Burundi, constitute real hindrances in the process of promoting human rights.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“In the area of human rights, my country, Burundi, remains convinced that any progress in the area of human rights must be through dialogue, cooperation, the mechanism accepted by all as the Universal Periodic Review and the strengthening of the national capacities of all the relevant stakeholders in the field. Unfortunately, the growing tendency towards the politicization of human rights to satisfy the political interests of some States is hampering the efforts of many countries, including Burundi. Human rights are a universal concept that is amply outlined in several international instruments. It constitutes one of the three pillars of the United Nations. But human rights are increasingly being abused by some States, which, if they are not careful , are deviating from the objectives of the Human Rights Council.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“The security situation is generally good throughout the national territory, and citizens go about their daily activities peaceably. From the most distant hill to the capital of Bujumbura, calm reigns. Burundians, in their rich diversity, enjoy their political and civil rights without any hindrance. The return to normalcy was recognized and emphasized by the seventh Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, which took place on 19 October in Brazzaville. I would mention that that meeting, which included 19 countries, mostly business people, decided to hold its next summit in Bujumbura. That is an illustration of the emerging regional confidence in our subregion.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“Therefore, the committee responsible for proposing amendments has examined the constitutional provisions that are the source of imperfections in maintaining, as they are, provisions that have the merits and democratic values that guarantee stability and peace in Burundi, the protection of the political opposition, the protection of the rights and interests of minorities, the protection of the independence of certain institutions and, above all, the legitimacy of the constitutional order. Almost all the achievements of the Arusha agreement, which are already in the current Constitution, such as ethnic and gender quotas, will be safeguarded. With regard to the security situation, the situation on the ground since the Council's most recent meeting on Burundi in July is very positive (see S/PV.8013).”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“I would like to remind the Council that the current exercise is aimed, first at foremost, at Burundi's long-term stability through an end of the transitional period of our basic law of 2005. The Constitution of 18 March 2005 has not yet undergone any changes, even though it sets out outdated provisions that are unsuited to the post- transition context and the East African Community Treaty, which Burundi has ratified.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“In order to cement that culture throughout the country, the President of the Republic has urged all of the country's forces - all 32 Burundian political parties, people from all religious denominations, civil society, the media and the youth - to act as messengers of peace by strengthening security for all and encouraging peaceful coexistence, social cohesion, reconciliation and national unity. With regard to constitutional affairs, my delegation wishes to recall that the amendment of the Constitution is an exercise that is exclusively a matter of national sovereignty, not only for Burundi but also for the countries represented here in the Security Council. The issue is the responsibility of Burundians and should not be the subject of debate by external actors in a non-Burundian context.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“When it comes to strengthening democratic culture, we remain convinced that in a country like ours, which is still making efforts to consolidate peace, justice and security, free, peaceful and transparent elections are an essential part of consolidating the voice of the people in outlining their future. Any alternative of access to power through unconstitutional shortcuts is unacceptable. The coups that we have seen in the past remain for most Burundians a nightmare from which they are trying to wake up today. Since 2005, there has been a gradual consolidation of the democratic culture in Burundi.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“In order to safeguard such regional momentum, it would be desirable to avoid any attempt to create parallel mechanisms that are likely to alter the current trajectory of the dialogue. It must remain first and foremost under the leadership of Burundians and the subregion. The contribution of outside actors, although commendable, should be limited only to support. As much as possible, actors beyond the region must - and this is very important - be careful about taking unilateral decisions and positions of a political nature that undermine the efforts of the East African Community in the management of the Burundian question. That wish was expressed by the Heads of State of Uganda and Tanzania during their bilateral meeting on 11 November in Kampala.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“Fifthly, they called for the lifting of the economic sanctions of the European Union against Burundi, which have a negative impact not only on the lives of vulnerable groups, such as women and children, but also on the implementation of the Agenda for Sustainable Development and, above all, on the creation of an environment conducive to holding the next elections in 2020. My delegation hopes that, with the current positive momentum, our partners that have adopted sanctions and punitive measures against Burundi can move in the direction of general peace in Burundi and lift such counterproductive sanctions. As you can see, Mr. President, regional dynamics remain vibrant.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source
“First, they agreed that the people of Burundi and the region itself must maintain leadership in managing the situation in Burundi. The contribution of other actors outside the region should be limited solely to supporting national and regional efforts. Secondly, they agreed on the importance for the international community continuing to support Burundi's socioeconomic sectors. Thirdly, they called for the mobilization of the necessary resources for the organization of free, democratic and peaceful elections in 2020. Fourthly, they called for support for national and regional efforts in the search for a lasting political solution to the current situation through peaceful means.”
2017-11-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8109 (2017) · source