Burundi: Dire need to increase protections for civic space
| Publisher | Article 19 |
| Publication Date | 17 April 2014 |
| Cite as | Article 19, Burundi: Dire need to increase protections for civic space, 17 April 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5375ca134.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
ARTICLE 19 is concerned that the government is increasingly becoming hostile towards the media, civil society and opposition political parties in Burundi, as the government seeks Constitutional change by a referendum that would allow the incumbent President to run for a third term in office amid considerable political controversy.
We urge the government to respect the right to freedom of expression and press freedom, or risk dangerously undermining the democratic legitimacy of the current government.
"Journalists play a vital role in a democratic society - ensuring the public are informed, facilitating debate and promoting accountability. Continued attacks and intimidation of human rights defenders and the media to discourage them from reporting or influence their coverage violates constitutional guarantees for free expression and international human rights standards. When the independence of the press is compromised, democracy suffers, which is particularly troubling as we approach the elections" said Henry Maina ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa Director.
"We remain concerned that the legal framework in Burundi fails to provide sufficient safeguards for media freedom. The media law, passed last year, grants the authorities powers which can be used to restrict and even criminalise reporting on matters of public interest" added Maina.
The July 2015 elections will be the third to be held in Burundi since the signing of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement in the year 2000, which brought to an end a seven-year civil war in the country. Under this agreement, President Pierre Nkurunziza, was elected President in 2005, and won a subsequent second five-year term in 2010. The country is facing political crisis as the legality of the President seeking a third term is contested.
RESTRICTIONS ON PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY AND ATTACKS ON MEDIA INDEPENDENCE:
Recently, the Mayor of Bujumbura, Saidi Juma, banned a peaceful protest organised by civil society organisations to commemorate and campaign for justice for Ernest Manirumva, an anti-corruption activist who was murdered on 9th April 2009. Five years since Ernest was killed, nobody has been held accountable.
On Saturday 15 March 2014, the permanent secretary of the National Security Council (CNS), Ildephonse Habarurema delivered a statement congratulating some media organisations for their "role in informing the population" but condemned others for publicising "subversive messages". CNS is the apex state security body, and constituted by the President and senior ministers. Habarurema voiced particular criticism of Radio Publique Africaine (RPA) in relation to its coverage of a police raid on the headquarters of opposition Movement for Solidarity and Democracy (MSD) party. Journalists affiliated to Radio Isanganiro have experience five attacks in the past 18 months.
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