Human Rights Council – 60th Session
General comment on draft resolution L.13
Situation of human rights in Burundi
Statement by Iceland
6 October 2025

Mr. President,

Iceland thanks the European Union and its member States for presenting this resolution.

The Special Rapporteur produces valuable reporting, and we support the renewal of the mandate, especially given the context where serious human rights violations and abuses continue to persist in Burundi.

Iceland echoes the recent call from the group of the eight Special Procedure mandate holders to ensure that victims of torture, and women and girls who are survivors of sexual and gender based violence, have access to appropriate care, including free comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services and psychological support.

We remain deeply concerned about the SR’s findings that women continue to face structural discrimination in access to land, employment and justice, and that gender-based violence, including domestic violence, occurs frequently and is underreported.

Iceland appreciates that the text of the resolution refers to the electoral period that runs until 2027, particularly in a context where the civic space continues to shrink, journalists cannot do their work in full independence, human rights defenders are silenced, and any dissonant voice is quashed.

We remain concerned about the continued denial of access of the Special Rapporteur to the country and lack of meaningful cooperation of the country concerned with the OHCHR.

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

I thank you.