A/HRC/S-24/2 I. Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council at its twenty-fourth special session S-24/1. Preventing the deterioration of the human rights situation in Burundi The Human Rights Council, Guided by the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant international human rights instruments, Recalling also General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006 and Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, Recalling further Human Rights Council resolution 30/27 of 2 October 2015 on technical assistance and capacity-building for Burundi in the field of human rights, Reaffirming that States have the primary responsibility for the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, Reaffirming also its strong commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of Burundi, Recognizing that the international community, including the Human Rights Council, can play an important and helpful role in preventing the further deterioration of the human rights situation in Burundi by highlighting the human rights violations and abuses and the risk of escalation of the conflict, Recognizing also the importance of the prevention of human rights violations and abuses in Burundi, especially in the context of past mass atrocities in the region, Acknowledging that serious abuses and violations of human rights can be an early indication of a descent into conflict or escalation of conflict, as well as a consequence thereof, Expressing grave concern about the increase in violence and the serious human rights violations and abuses in Burundi shared by the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union in her statement on 4 November 2015 and reported in a briefing of the Security Council on 9 November 2015 by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, and the Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union, Reaffirming that the Arusha Agreement, which has been the basis for the Constitution of Burundi, provides the foundation for peacebuilding, national reconciliation and the strengthening of democracy and the rule of law, Emphasizing that mediation, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and conflict prevention and resolution can, among other tools, play an important role in preventing disputes from escalating into conflicts and conflicts from escalating further, as well as in advancing the resolution of conflicts and in preventing and/or reducing violations and abuses of human rights, Taking note with appreciation of the support of the international community for the search for a peaceful solution to the crisis facing Burundi, including, inter alia, the efforts of the African Union, the East African Community, the African Commission on Human and 2