SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN BURUNDI VISITS THE COUNTRY

HR/98/61

The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro (Brazil), arrived in Bujumbura on Friday 21 August for his fifth visit to the country.

During his mission, the Special Rapporteur will hold a series of meetings with high-ranking political, judicial and military authorities, religious dignitaries, heads of foreign missions accredited to Burundi, representatives of United Nations agencies and international non-governmental organizations as well as with Burundian civil society associations.

The Special Rapporteur also plans to visit a number of provinces in order to develop a more precise idea of developments concerning the human rights situation in Burundi since his last visit in December 1997. This visit takes place in the framework of a recent ongoing dialogue both inside and outside the country for achieving peace and national reconciliation.

Mr. Pinheiro’s trip concludes on 4 September. His report, reflecting the main conclusions of his visit to Burundi, will be submitted to the fifty-third session of the General Assembly.