Return of the First Deputy Speaker of the Senate from a work mission to Geneva

This Saturday, October 25, 2025, the First Deputy Speaker of the Senate, Honourable Générose NGENDANGANYA, returned from a working mission to Geneva, Switzerland, from October 19 to 23, 2025, where she participated in the 151^st General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), organized under the theme: “Ensuring respect for humanitarian standards and supporting humanitarian action in times of crisis.”

Upon her arrival at Melchior NDADAYE International Airport, Honourable NGENDANGANYA stated that during the Assembly, she addressed the Assembly to highlight the efforts of the Government and Parliament of the Republic of Burundi to respect humanitarian standards and support humanitarian action.

On the sidelines of this Assembly, the Burundian delegation, led by the First Deputy Speaker of the Senate, met with the Human Rights Committee to discuss the assassinations of eight Burundian parliamentarians between 1994 and 2000. The Burundian delegation stated that these assassinations are among several cases that Burundi experienced, adding that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is working to shed light on all of the events that brought grief to Burundi. The Human Rights Committee thanked the Burundian delegation for the information provided and invited Burundi to host a follow-up visit.

The First Deputy Speaker of the Senate also participated in the Forum of Women Parliamentarians to discuss the promotion of gender parity in governing bodies. Furthermore, the Burundian Senate delegation was received in audience by the Belgian delegation, led by the First Deputy Speaker of the Senate of the Kingdom of Belgium. Their discussions focused on ways to revitalize parliamentary cooperation between the Senate of Burundi and the Belgian Parliament. During these discussions, the Belgian delegation pledged to provide a document outlining Belgium’s responsibilities regarding its colonial past in Burundi.

Finally, the Burundian Senate delegation was received in audience by the Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), who promised to support the Burundian Parliament in various areas.