| Click here for a summary of Burundi’s review at the first cycle and/or the third cycle. |
15th UPR session
Date of review: 24 January 2013
Date of report adoption: 6 June 2013
Working Group report: A/HRC/23/9
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SUMMARY SOGIESC issues during Burundi’s 2nd UPR review |
I. Key issues/recommendations identified by NGOs
- Ensure that no one is discriminated against on any grounds, including on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, and that these grounds be included for protection in any anti-discrimination legislation.
- Provide education and awareness raising sessions on these issues to police and all other law enforcement official.
- Review the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on sexual orientation and gender identity, and give consideration to implementing the recommendations therein.
II. Excerpts from input reports
National report
There were no references to sexual orientation or gender identity.
Compilation of UN information
I. Background and framework
B. Constitutional and legislative framework
4. With regard to the adoption of the criminal code, the High Commissioner indicated that homosexuality was criminalized and recommended repealing this provision. In April 2009, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, together with the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Burundi and the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, sent an urgent appeal concerning a provision of the draft criminal code criminalizing homosexuality. They also expressed their concerns about this bill in an urgent appeal in December 2008. They added that, during the universal periodic review in December 2008, the Government had been questioned about the criminalization of homosexuality and had requested more time to respond adequately. The Special Rapporteurs and the Independent Expert had urged the President of Burundi not to pass the draft criminal code in its current form.
Summary of stakeholders’ information
I. Information provided by other non-accredited national human rights institutions and other stakeholders
A. Background and framework
2. Constitutional and legislative framework
3. Amnesty International (AI) and Joint Submission 2 (JS2) stated that, in 2009, a Penal Code was promulgated which abolishes the death penalty and criminalizes genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. However, AI, JS2, Joint Submission 3 (JS3) and Human Rights Watch (HRW) were concerned that, despite the 2008 Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendation, the Penal Code also criminalizes same-sex relations. JS2 and JS3 considered that Burundi should repeal criminalization of homosexuality.
C. Implementation of international human rights obligations, taking into account applicable international humanitarian law
1. Equality and non-discrimination
17. HRW indicated that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) had reported that the criminalization of same sex relations in 2009 had increased stigma and made LGBT less likely to seek assistance when they are victims of crimes, and more vulnerable to extortion. It added that an education policy adopted in 2011 further entrenched discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation as, according to it, on the basis of “homosexuality” students could be expelled for a year and denied admission into any school.
18. JS3 expressed the same concerns and added that discrimination against LGBT was even more pronounced in rural areas because of social pressure and stereotypes.
4. Freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, and right to participate in public and political life
55. JS3 reported the pressure brought to bear on the organization MUCO because of its work to uphold the rights of LGBT.
III. References to SOGI during the Working Group review
37. Hungary welcomed Burundi’s legislative efforts as well as the NIHRC. It raised concerns about impunity regarding political killings and torture, sexual violence and the criminalization of same sex relations.
50. The Netherlands commended the variety media and wondered how this relates to the new media law, presumably more restrictive on press media. It urged to continue dialogue with opposition parties. It noted with concern that education policy entrenched discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
76. Slovenia welcomed the NIHRC; the action plan to eliminate child labour; the equal gender distribution in schools. Slovenia remained concerned about girls’ drop-out, teenage pregnancies and criminalization of same sex relations.
82. Thailand commended efforts to protect Batwa and albinos; empower rural women; and improve detention conditions. Thailand was concerned about discrimination in education of girls, albinos and Batwa children; and criminalization of homosexuality.
89. Uruguay welcomed the NIHRC. Despite changes to criminal legislation, the continued criminalization of homosexuality raised concern. It noted that de facto discrimination of certain groups continued to be tolerated.
117. Czech Republic welcomed efforts to overcome challenges in the process of reconciliation and strengthening the rule of law, the abolition of the death penalty and the criminalization of torture under the new Criminal Code, but was concerned that it also criminalized same-sex relations.
123. Par rapport à la discrimination des personnes homosexuelles, le Burundi a reconnu que le Code pénal de 2009 réprime toujours l’homosexualité. Cette situation correspond aux coutumes et mœurs du pays et la délégation a demandé à la communauté internationale d’être compréhensive en attendant que la société burundaise se prépare à un changement de mentalité. Le chef de délégation a cependant souligné qu’elle soulèverait cette question avec le gouvernement.
IV. Conclusions and/or recommendations
The following recommendations were rejected by Burundi:
128.20. Revoke article 567 from the Penal Code and remove any discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation from all other laws and policies (Hungary);
128.21. Repeal the provisions of the 2009 Criminal Code which criminalize sexual relations between consenting adults of the same sex (Slovenia);
128.22. Decriminalize sexual relations between consenting adults of the same sex as well as abolish other rules which promote discrimination based on sexual orientation (Spain);
128.23. Consider decriminalizing homosexuality, in particular relations between consenting adults (Thailand);
128.24. Adopt all necessary political and legislative measures to decriminalize sexual relations between consenting adults of the same sex as well as adopt measures to guarantee the enjoyment of the right to health without discrimination based on sexual orientation (Uruguay);
128.25. Undertake a process of revising its penal code by aiming to amend article 567 criminalizing relationships between persons of the same sex (Canada);
128.26. Reconsider decriminalizing certain conducts based on sexual orientation and gender identity, as recommended by the High Commissioner for Human Rights (Chile);
128.46. Implement follow up mechanisms of the UPR recommendations that allows verifying the implementation and impact of legislation and measures adopted to promote equal rights and non-discrimination for all citizens, in particular vulnerable groups such as: women, children, ethnic minorities, LGBTI community and persons with disabilities (Colombia);
128.82. Revise its education policy that further entrenches discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation (Netherlands);
128.83. Ensure that no one is discriminated against on any grounds, including on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity (Brazil);
128.112. Investigate, prosecute and, if convicted, punish perpetrators of human rights abuses, including those committed against civil society groups, members of the media and LGBT individuals (United States of America);
V. Adoption of the Report
The draft report of the Working Group was adopted at the 23rd session of the Human Rights Council in June 2013
Explanation of the State under review
Le Gouvernement du Burundi ne peut non plus s’engager sur les recommandations qui, visiblement, qui heurtent les mœurs de sa population. A cet égard, toutes les recommandations formulées par différents délégations se rapportant à la dépénalisation des relations sexuelles entre adultes consentants de même sexes et l’abolition de toute règle portant sur la discrimination fondée sur l’orientation sexuelle ne rencontrent pas l’approbation du Gouvernement du Burundi.
Permettez moi, Auguste Assemblée, d’insister sur le fait que toute recommandation portant sur l’homosexualité est rejetée par le Burundi car heurte encore aux bonnes mœurs de société. A ce titre, le Burundi rejette 11 recommandations s’y référant.
Comments by States and other stakeholders
ILGA & MOLI, delivered by Yahia Zaidi
M. Président,
Cette déclaration est lue aussi au nom du « Mouvement pour les Libertés Individuelles», MOLI.
Nous remercions le gouvernement burundais pour avoir participé activement au mécanisme de l’EPU. Nous attirons cependant l’attention sur les abus des droits humains à l’égard des minorités sexuelles au Burundi.
Dans sa Constitution, le Burundi a ratifié la Déclaration Universelle des Droits de l’Homme et de la Charte Africaine des Droits de l’Homme et des peuples.
Le 22 avril 2009, la révision du Code Pénal a consacré la discrimination à l’égard des minorités sexuelles en pénalisant l’homosexualité à travers l’Article 567; par ailleurs une ordonnance ministérielle datant du 7 juin 2011 sur le règlement scolaire inclut parmi les fautes passibles de renvoi, l’homosexualité.
Suite à cette institutionnalisation de l’homophobie, MOLI a enregistré des cas de discrimination, violence verbale et physique, mauvais traitements, cas d’exclusion familiale et sociale, menaces et harcèlement par des personnes privées et extorsion de la part de la police.
Jusqu’à présent l’Etat du Burundi n’a que partiellement pris en compte les droits à l’accès aux services de santé équitables en faveur des minorités sexuelles en incluant les personnes LGBT dans le Plan Stratégique du Conseil National de Lutte contre le VIH/SIDA.
Nous regrettons que le Burundi ait rejeté les recommandations de l’EPU liées aux principes d’égalité, de non-discrimination et de protection de tout citoyen burundais tels qu’énoncés dans la Constitution du pays ; et qu’il ait rejeté les recommandations d’abroger l’article 567 du code pénal criminalisant les relations sexuelles entre adultes consentants de même sexe.
Nous demandons néanmoins au gouvernement d’assurer la protection contre toute forme de discrimination, violence physique et verbale basés sur l’orientation sexuelle et l’identité de genre.
Nous exhortons aussi le gouvernement à continuer à mettre en place des initiatives gouvernementales dans le domaine de la santé reproductive et sexuelle en faveur des minorités sexuelles.
Nous demandons au gouvernement de prendre des mesures afin que les questions de droits de l`homme relatifs aux personnes LGBTI soient abordées en conformité avec ses obligations nationales, régionales et internationales.
Je vous remercie.
Human Rights Watch
[…] Human Rights Watch urges the Burundian government to implement the UPR recommendations to prevent discrimination on the basis on sexual orientation and to decriminalise homosexuality. We deeply regret that these recommendations were rejected today.
East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project
[…] Le Burundi doit également mettre n œuvre des recommandations sur la non-discrimination, y compris par voie d’une loi garantissant à la femme les droits à la succession et de revoir la criminalisation de l’homosexualité. […]
VI. Further information
UPR Documentation
National report: A | C | E | F | R | S
Annex: F
Compilation of UN information (link to UN submissions): A | C | E | F | R | S
Summary of stakeholders’ information (link to all NGO submissions): A | C | E | F | R | S
Questions submitted in advance : E
Addendum 1 : E
Outcome of the review
Report of the Working group : A | C | E | F | R | S