MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The crisis in the southeastern African country of Burundi continues to deteriorate, Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement.
“The human rights situation in Burundi continues to deteriorate, with at least 96 people killed, mostly among the opposition, since the beginning of election-related violence in late-April,” Shamdasani said.
The spokesperson urged all parties of the conflict to resume dialogue to prevent the situation in the country going completely out of control.
In April, Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would run for a third presidential term in the July 21 elections.
The opposition boycotted the vote in which Nkurunziza gained 69 percent of ballots, prompting violent nationwide protests.
At least 181,000 people have fled Burundi to escape violence since the beginning of protests, according to UN data.
