HRC63 – Iceland GC – A/HRC/63/L.13: Situation of human rights in Burundi

Human Rights Council – 63rd Session
General Comment during adoption of draft resolution A/HRC/63/L.13
Situation of human rights in Burundi
Statement by Iceland
6 October 2026

President,
Iceland thanks the European Union for presenting draft resolution L.13 on the situation of human rights in Burundi.

Iceland strongly supports the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur and welcomes the attention given in this resolution to the upcoming 2027 presidential elections in Burundi.

In recent electoral cycles, the Special Rapporteur has documented serious restrictions on civic and political space, underscoring the need for heightened scrutiny during the current electoral period. The Special Rapporteur has already warned of signs of a potential electoral crisis.

Furthermore, at a time when this Council continues to receive reports of grave human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions and widespread sexual and gender-based violence, the mandate of the Special Rapporteur remains necessary. Iceland is deeply concerned by the Special Rapporteur’s findings and welcome their reflection in the resolution, in particular, the attention given to the rights of women and girls.

We take this opportunity to reiterate our call on the Government of Burundi to engage constructively with the Special Rapporteur and other United Nations human rights mechanisms, including by granting the Special Rapporteur access to the country and reopening the OHCHR country office.

In the absence of cooperation with the OHCHR, the Special Rapporteur remains the only independent human rights mechanism specifically dedicated to monitoring the situation in Burundi. We would welcome the day when progress and renewed cooperation make international scrutiny less necessary. We are not there yet. The renewal of this mandate is therefore necessary and of particular importance in the period ahead.

Iceland therefore supports resolution L.13 and calls on all members of the Council to do the same.

I thank you.