UNITED NATIONS — Burundi's parliamentary elections on Monday were not fair or free and human rights were violated, the United Nations said on Thursday. In Washington, the State Department said the United States suspended several security assistance programs it had with Burundi. Burundi has been locked in its worst political crisis since its civil war ended a decade ago, with protests erupting in late April against President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid to seek a third term in office. Dozens have been killed. The opposition boycotted the parliamentary election on Monday. A presidential vote is scheduled for July 15 and the UN and others have called for it to be postponed. Opponents say the president's attempt to stand again violates the constitution. UN spokesman Farhan Haq said the preliminary conclusion of the UN electoral observer mission in Burundi was that “the overall environment was not conducive for free, credible and inclusive elections.” — Reuters
