By Egide Lucky
According to the human rights watchdog, there has been no slowdown in intimidation, harassment, arrests, detention and unfair prosecution of human rights defenders, activists, journalists and opposition members in Burundi, since the inauguration of President Evariste Ndayishimiye. The president’s spokesperson deplores “false accusations, different from the reality on the ground.”
“Despite hopes that Evariste Ndayishimiye’s presidency and government would bring an end to the era of repression, Burundi has witnessed a relentless crackdown on past and present members of civil society and those who question the government narrative on human rights,” reads Amnesty International’s research briefing released on August 21.
The report mentions individual cases to justify the “new wave of repression” in Burundi under President Ndayishimiye’s leadership. One of them is the imprisonment of Fabien Banciryanino, former Member of Parliament, who was arrested on 2 October 2020 accused of “rebellion” and “threatening internal security.” He was released in October 2021.
The human rights watchdog also reminds the conviction in absentia of five human rights activists and seven journalists, in February 2021, “falsely” accused of participating in the failed 2015 coup d’état. They were sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of undermining state authority, murder and damage to property.
Amnesty International recalls the imprisonment of Floriane Irangabiye, a journalist arrested in August 2022 and released recently on August 16 following a presidential pardon.
The report also denounces interference in NGO activities. It states that in March 2022, police shut down a press conference organized by two civil society organizations to discuss their concerns about the Ministry of Interior’s ban on bicycles, tricycles and motorcycles from entering Bujumbura city center.
Amnesty International finds worrying the imprisonment of 24 people who were arrested in Gitega, the political capital, on 22 February 2023, as “they attended a workshop on economic inclusion organized by an organization focusing on HIV/AIDS.”
They were accused of “homosexuality” and several members of the group were also accused of “inciting debauchery.” They were released in January and February this year.
A call on authorities to respect human rights of all people
In the same report, Amnesty International appreciates that between late 2020 and mid-2021, there were signs that President Ndayishimiye was seeking to “loosen the stranglehold over civil society and the media.”
“In addition to positive comments about human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and the work to reopen media houses and a civil society organization that had been suspended for two years, six human rights defenders and journalists who were in prison at the time he became president were released within a six-month period,” reads the report.
It cites, among others, the release of human rights activists Nestor Nibitanga and Germain Rukuki, and four Iwacu journalists and their driver.
Amnesty International calls on Burundian authorities to end arbitrary arrest, detention and prosecution of human rights defenders, and allow civil society organizations to freely carry out their activities without any interference or reprisal.
It urges Burundian authorities to fully decriminalize media offences, lift the ban against Burundian media outlets and human rights organizations suspended in 2015, as well as facilitate their return to Burundi through an effective and inclusive dialogue process.
The human rights watchdog also calls on the international community not to “drop their guard” on monitoring Burundi’s progress to improve respect for human rights.
“With parliamentary elections scheduled for 2025, Amnesty International urges President Ndayishimiye and his government to take immediate and effective action to end repression of civic space. The human rights of all people in Burundi must be respected,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s regional director for east and southern Africa.
In an interview with BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) on August 24, the spokesperson to President Evariste Ndayishimiye said Amnesty International’s accusations of repression of civic space are different from the reality on the ground in Burundi.
“They mention cases of journalists and human rights activists who were convicted before President Ndayishimiye assumed office. Many of them have been released since he took office, some through a presidential pardon,” said Rosine Guilene Gatoni, Burundi President’s spokesperson, adding that Burundi is governed by the rule of law.
According to her, Amnesty International seeks to tarnish the image of Burundi by ignoring its efforts to promote human rights.
In his inaugural address on 18 June 2020, President Evariste Ndayishimiye announced that “no Burundian will be deprived of their expression right, whether they are in Burundi or abroad.”
He said that dialogue would be prioritized under his leadership: “Let everyone express their opinion, their point of view.”
