Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has held with his counterpart in Burundi on (a) human rights and (b) the rule of law in Burundi; and if he will make a statement.

The UK remains extremely concerned by the human rights situation in Burundi, notably excessive use of deadly force, torture and sexual violence. Alongside our international partners, we continue to urge the Burundi government to bring an end to abuses, hold the perpetrators to account and uphold the rule of law. At the UN Human Rights Council in September, we supported the extension of the UN Commission of Inquiry on human rights by another year. Our non-resident Ambassador and officials regularly visit for consultations with the Burundi Government; these discussions cover human rights, the rule of law and the importance of maintaining the principles of the 2000 Arusha Agreement, including the protection of minority groups in Burundi.