SITUATION IN BURUNDI

That this House expresses deep concern about the human rights, security and political situation in Burundi, and in particular about the political repression carried out by authorities against political opponents, and the situation of nearly 100,000 refugees driven away from their country by fear; expresses alarm that this security and political situation does not offer conditions conducive to peaceful, credible and inclusive elections for the legislative polls planned for 29 June, but bears the risk of mass killings and armed conflict; acknowledges and welcomes efforts carried out by the international community, including those by the African Union, the East African Community and the United Nations; further welcomes the recommendations made by the African Union Peace and Security Council on 13 June, in urging Burundi stakeholders to resume their political dialogue and to agree on new dates for the upcoming elections; further welcomes the conclusions adopted by the European Council on 22 June to support recommendations of the African Union; deeply regrets the decision expressed by Burundi's ruling party, the National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) not to take part in the political dialogue planned to be resumed under the aegis of international organisations; asks the UK Government to intensify its pressure on the Burundi government to press its members to participate in political dialogue and to postpone the upcoming elections as a matter of urgency; and in particular urges the UK Government to push the EU Council to start negotiations under article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement immediately.