A/HRC/38/10 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-ninth session from 15 to 26 January 2018. The review of Burundi was held at the 7th meeting, on 18 January 2018. The delegation of Burundi was headed by the minister responsible for the rights of the person, social affairs and gender, Martin Nivyabandi. At its 14th meeting, held on 23 January 2018, the Working Group adopted the report on Burundi. 2. On 10 January 2018, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Burundi: Côte d’Ivoire, Germany and Saudi Arabia. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Burundi: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/29/BDI/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/29/BDI/2 and Corr.1); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/29/BDI/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Brazil, Czechia, Germany, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America was transmitted to Burundi through the troika. These questions are available on the website of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The head of the Burundian delegation expressed his country’s pride at renewing its participation in the universal periodic review. The review was taking place just as Burundi was arriving at a decisive turning point in its history: the holding of a referendum on a new Constitution, with the ultimate aim of embedding and sustaining institutional stability and social cohesion in the country. The national report of Burundi was based primarily on the recommendations that had emerged during the second cycle of the review. 6. Burundi had pursued clear legislative reforms with a view to promoting and protecting human rights. The President of the Republic had promulgated several Acts, covering the current Code of Criminal Procedure; the regulation of public meetings and demonstrations; the Electoral Code; the establishment of the Special Land and Property Court; the punishment of trafficking in persons and protection of its victims; the protection of victims, witnesses and other persons at risk; the prevention and punishment of genderbased violence and protection of its victims; press regulation; and a legal framework for non-profit organizations. 7. On the institutional front, a framework for civic dialogue had been established in September 2015 with the creation of the National Commission for Dialogue among Burundians, which had recently submitted its final report on the consultations held throughout the country. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was operational and its branches had already carried out fieldwork so that the people of Burundi might engage in reflection and embrace a brighter future. All of society was committed to reconciliation and everything had been done to preserve unity. 8. Since its review during the second cycle, Burundi had ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or 2 GE.18-06283