Following Assassination Attempt on Human Rights Defender in Burundi, Secretary-General Says Growing Pattern of Violence Must Be Broken

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the assassination attempt on Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, a leading Burundian human rights defender who was shot and wounded by unknown assailants in Bujumbura today.  He conveys his wishes for a full and speedy recovery to Mr. Mbonimpa and calls for a prompt and transparent investigation in order to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice.

This incident, which comes only a day after the killing of General Adolphe Nshimirimana, is part of a growing pattern of politically motivated violence in Burundi that must be broken before it escalates beyond control.  The Secretary-General stresses that accountability and the resumption of a genuine and inclusive political dialogue are the best response to such attempts to destabilize Burundi.