EU renews sanctions against Burundi for a further year

Background and further information:

The sanctions, renewed until 31 October 2018 during a meeting of the EPSCO Council, consist of a travel ban and asset freeze against four persons whose activities are deemed to be undermining democratic governance and obstructig the search for a peaceful political solution in Burundi. These activities include acts of violence, repression or incitement to violence and acts which constitute serious human rights violations.

The EU showed its concern yet again by information on continuing extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrests and detentions, forced disappearances, torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and gender-based violence, including sexual violence committed in Burundi since April 2015. The absence of progress in the situation in Burundi justified the renewal of the sanctions for another year.

The sanctions were first adopted in October 2015 and renewed for the first time in September 2016.

The Council of the European Union decided on 23 October 2017 to renew the restrictive measures imposed against Burundi for another year.