A/HRC/42/49 • Reviewing the composition of the Superior Council of Magistrates (Conseil supérieur de la magistrature) so that the majority of its members are designated by their peers; • Reviewing the nomination, posting, evaluation and promotion procedures of magistrates so that they do not depend of the executive; • Ensuring the respect of the principle of security of tenure for judges; • Protecting and guaranteeing the independence of the judiciary by prohibiting all interference in their functions by governmental authorities, members of the ruling party or security and defence forces, and imposing sanctions on those who influence, or seek to influence, the functioning of the judiciary; • Developing legal aid programmes for the most vulnerable; • Reinforcing the protection mechanisms for victims and witnesses, as well as their efficiency, in order to restore people’s confidence in the system and to encourage witnesses to testify without fear for their security. 148. Ensure that members of the defence and security forces respect human rights in all circumstances and serve the interests of the population as a whole, not solely those of the ruling party, in particular by: • Reinforcing civilian control over the military and the independence of the competent organs created by the Constitution to supervise this control, in particular the Parliament, the National Human Rights Commission and the Ombudsman; • Implementing civilian control over the National Intelligence Service (Service national de renseignement) in line with the Constitution; • Conducting background checks, in particular on human rights, on defense and security forces and incorporating these measures into reforms of the recruitment and career progression of these agents. 149. Reconsider their decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute, cooperate fully with the International Criminal Court in the ongoing preliminary examination and, if an investigation is initiated, continue that cooperation, inter alia by ensuring the protection of victims and witnesses; 150. Authorize the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to resume its documentation of human rights violations in Burundi, which has been suspended since October 2016; 151. Sign and implement the memorandum of understanding with the African Union and permit the full deployment of 100 human rights observers and 100 military experts that was decided upon in 2016; 152. Cooperate with United Nations human rights mechanisms by once again receiving special procedures missions and implementing the recent recommendations of treaty bodies; 153. Actively seek a lasting solution to the political crisis, inter alia through international initiatives to promote dialogue. 2. Political parties and armed opposition groups should: 154. Put an immediate end to human rights abuses and acts of violence committed by their members; 155. Refrain from any incitement of violence and participate in the quest for a lasting solution to the political crisis in Burundi. 3 The Human Rights Council should: 156. Extend the Commission’s mandate for a period of one year to enable it to conduct further and more thorough investigations in view of the persistence of gross human rights 46 GE.19-13419