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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The members of the United Nations Security Council late Friday, welcomed the statement of the UN rights chief over his mission to Burundi .

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, expressed concern about tensions rising sharply in Burundi, Jordan's permanent envoy at the UN, Dina Kewar, said in a statement .

In a press conference, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, said Burundi is at a crossroads and its future may well depend on which path is chosen by individual politicians and their supporters, as well as key authorities, over the next few weeks.

He stressed that both in and outside of Burundi, many people are extremely worried about tensions rising sharply as the elections approach.

The High Commissioner said journalists have been harassed and threatened, as have human rights defenders. He added that the militia of the Imbonerakure, which openly supports the Government, appears to be operating increasingly aggressively and with total impunity.

Ultimately, it is the authorities who have the obligation to protect all citizens and residents from intimidation and violence committed by any individual or group, he added.

The High Commissioner stressed that criticism is a vital element of democracy, not a threat that must be crushed, Prince Ra’ad said.

The choice, he said, was between free and fair elections that would strengthen and mature Burundi’s still fragile democracy, and enable an improvement in its dire socio-economic situation, and a path of violence and intimidation aimed instead at subverting democracy for the sake of gaining or maintaining political power.

"There is only one path for Burundi to follow, and that is the path of peace, rule of law and democracy," said Mr. Zeid. "Burundi cannot afford another outbreak of violence. It cannot afford it economically, politically, socially or culturally. It cannot afford it domestically or internationally.

UN members urged the government in Burundi to respect its obligations to hold a peaceful, transparent, free and fair elections.