 |
answer text |
<p>The security situation in Burundi remains fragile with continued abductions, illegal
detentions, torture, gang rapes and killings. We are also concerned at the apparent
recent increase in the number of targeted assassinations, most recently the assassination
of Brigadier General Athanase Kararuza and his wife on 25 April and the attempted
assassination of the Minister of Human Rights, Social Affairs and Gender, Martin Nivyabandi
on 24 April. I join UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein in
condemning these attacks.</p><p>We continue to make clear our concerns to the Government
of Burundi. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs,
my Hon. Friend the Member for Rochford and Southend East (James Duddridge) visited
the country in December last year where he urged the Burundian government to engage
in meaningful, inclusive dialogue with the opposition without preconditions. In January
he met Burundian Foreign Minister Alain Nyamitwe to reiterate this message. Mr Duddridge
writes regularly to Mr Nyamitwe to convey our concerns and to urge his government
to take the necessary steps to resolve the current situation. Only a genuine and inclusive
dialogue, based on the respect of the Arusha Agreement, will enable Burundian stakeholders
to find a consensual solution to the situation facing their country.</p><p>Our Ambassador
to Burundi in Kigali travels regularly to the country to meet members of the Burundian
Government and we will shortly be increasing the British Government’s presence in
Bujumbura through the recruitment of a Burundi Coordinator.</p>
|
|
