Brussels, 16/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 16 November, the Council of the EU said that the EU strongly condemns any violation of human rights, as well as the acts of violence in Burundi (see EUROPE 11430).
The conclusions adopted without debate by the foreign affairs ministers state the EU's growing concern at the spiral of violence in Burundi - especially the incitement to hatred. “Any inflammatory speech and incitement to hatred risks worsening an already precarious situation and is totally unacceptable”, the EU says, fearing “tragic consequences for Burundi and for the whole region”.
Deploring “the persistent political stalemate marked by the refusal for real dialogue between the Burundian actors and by the violence”, the EU calls on all parties “to show the utmost restraint in their language and to avoid setting off another round of violence at all costs”. The EU reiterates that “only dialogue and the search for consensus in respect of the Arusha agreement and of the constitution of Burundi will enable a lasting political solution to be found in the interest of all Burundians”. It is in this spirit that the ministers invited the authorities of Burundi to political consultations under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement. The consultations are due to take place in Brussels “as soon as possible”, probably in early December.
The EU “reserves the right to adopt new targeted sanctions against those whose action or speech has reportedly led or would lead to acts of violence and repression, to serious violations of human rights and/or would hinder the search for a political solution in the framework proposed by the African Union” (see EUROPE 11401). The EU hails the UN Security Council resolution which paves the way for the possible deployment of UN peacekeeping forces. The EU also hails the call launched to the government “to respect, protect and guarantee human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to respect the rule of law and the resolve of the UN to have a common plan with the AU in case of emergency so that the international community might respond to any new deterioration of the situation”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)