UN: Burundi’s election not free and credible

The United Nations has condemned the just concluded parliamentary election in Burundi, saying it was not free and fair, while human rights were violated.

Farhan Haq, UN Spokesman, said on Friday that the preliminary conclusion of the UN electoral observer mission in Burundi was that “the overall environment was not conducive for free and credible elections”.

Haq said the observers noted media freedom restrictions, violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

He said the complaints include infringements to the rights of the opposition parties to campaign freely, extra-judicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and acts of violence committed by armed youth groups aligned with political parties.

John Kirby, spokesman of the US state department, said his country has suspended several security assistance programmes it had with Burundi.

“In response to the abuses committed by members of the police during political protests, we are suspending all international law enforcement academy and anti-terrorism assistance training that we provide to Burundian law enforcement agencies,” he said.

He urged President Pierre Nkurunziza to place the welfare of the country’s citizens above his own political ambitions and participate in dialogue with the opposition and civil society to identify a peaceful solution to this deepening crisis.

Kirby said this should include the delay of the July 15 presidential election, until conditions are in place for free, fair and peaceful poll.

Meanwhile, Gerard Bohemen, president of the UN security council for July, said the 15-member body expressed concern “that the minimum conditions for free, fair, transparent and credible elections were not met”.

The opposition boycotted the parliamentary election on Monday, saying the president’s attempt to stand again violates the constitution.