HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ANNOUNCES CONTRIBUTION OF $200,000 BY SPAIN TO HUMAN RIGHTS FIELD OPERATION IN BURUNDI
Press Release
HR/4295
HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ANNOUNCES CONTRIBUTION OF $200,000 BY SPAIN TO HUMAN RIGHTS FIELD OPERATION IN BURUNDI
19960416 GENEVA, 15 April (UN Information Service) -- High Commissioner for Human Rights José Ayala-Lasso announced today that the Government of Spain has made a voluntary contribution of $200,000 for the human rights field operation in Burundi.Further to encouragements by the Commission on Human Rights and the Security Council, and in agreement with the Government of Burundi, the High Commissioner is about to deploy human rights observers in that country.
The observers will, in particular, participate in efforts aimed at preventing human rights violations and inter-ethnic violence. They are mandated to bring cases of alleged violations to the attention of the authorities, recommend remedial action and follow-up on subsequent developments. In cooperation with all relevant actors, including international agencies and programmes and local non-governmental organizations, they will endeavour to foster a climate of peace, confidence and tolerance among all components of the Burundian population.
A first contingent of five observers will shortly be placed in Bujumbura. Depending on security conditions, the political situation and the availability of funding, further groups of observers will reinforce the operation, first in Bujumbura and gradually throughout the country. It is envisaged that up to 35 observers may be sent. The European Union has made a contribution of $434,293 for the deployment of the first five human rights observers.
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