CIVICUS, Global civil society alliance, welcomes Burundi President’s decision to review restrictions on media freedoms and journalists’ rights. The decrees in review, including abolition of prison sentences, and other measures for an open and free media space must be enacted immediately. Those unjustly imprisoned must be freed immediately.
Following a period of total impunity on violent repressions between 2015 and 2019, the reforms proposed have little impact on the ground. For instance, the Supreme Court of Burundi has recently rejected an appeal by wrongfully imprisoned journalist Floriane Irangabiye and upheld the decision to sentence her to ten years in prison. She remains in prison on conviction of “endangering the integrity of the nation.”
“The proposal to review and remove repressive decrees is a step in the right direction. However, authorities must speed up the process to amend all press laws hindering free and open media. They must regulate the powers of the National Communication Council to protect and promote media freedoms. This is critical for ensuring the rights to freedom of expression and access to information by all Burundians,” says Paul Mulindwa, CIVICUS’ Advocacy and Campaigns Officer.
When enacted, the decrease will reverse the brutal tactics enforced by the late former President Nkurunziza . During this period, independent civil society and media were relentlessly attacked, killed, disappeared, jailed, and threatened. Scores of human rights defenders and journalists fled the country. Many remain in exile today.
The review, where prison sentences are to be replaced by fines, is in line with proposals and promises made by the President Évariste Ndayishimiye in his inaugural speech. To build on some of this positive step, the government must now consult with all stakeholders in reviewing and amending laws that continue to restrict fundamental freedoms.
In addition to the repressive laws, the operations of the security and paramilitary youth league, Imbonerakure, is widely criticized for hampering the constitutional rights of journalists and media houses. Due to such repressive laws and brutal tactics, the government retains the power to arrest and detain any journalist at its discretion.
CIVICUS calls on the government of Burundi to;
- Cease all intimidation, harassment and attacks against media houses and journalists for publishing information that is critical of the government. Allow all journalists to operate freely.
- Amend all restrictive provisions in the Press Laws in consultation with media houses, journalists, and civil society. All laws must be in accordance with regional and international human rights mechanisms and instruments.
- Immediately release any journalists and civil society activists wrongfully held due to repressive laws - including Floriane Irangabiye.
- Provide a conducive working environment for partnership and dialogue across the sectors, between the government, media houses, and journalists, to promote and protect media freedoms.
