Human Right

Presidential pardon alone not enough to reduce jail overcrowding, lawyer says

04-24-2019 More than 600 prisoners from Mpimba Central Prison in Bujumbura were released on 18 April 2019 following the execution of the presidential pardon decreed on 31 December 2018. “This measure alone is not enough because the prison population remains very high in Burundi,” has said Salvator Minani, Deputy chairman (...)

Makamba administration reassures homeless returnees

04-12-2019 Following the returnees’ concerns over the lack of homes in their localities, Makamba province governor reassures. “We will do our best to help them have their shelters,” says Gad Niyukuri, Makamba Governor. He said it after Burundian refugees who had returned from Nyarugusu camp in Tanzania on 10 April (...)

Large number of vulnerable people, major challenge to Ministry of Social Affairs

04-02-2019 Late disbursement of funds, a large number of vulnerable people and the lack of land to shelter the victims of natural disasters are the major challenges that the Ministry of Human Rights, Social Affairs and Gender is facing. Martin Nivyabandi, Minister of Human Rights, Social Affairs and Gender said (...)

Three pupils accused of scribbling on President photo transferred to Ngozi prison

03-21-2019 Kirundo High Court did not pronounce, on 20 March, the verdict of pupils from Kamuri Basic school of Kirundo province accused of defacing the picture of President Nkurunziza found in textbooks as expected. The court, however, decided to transfer three of the six pupils detained since 12 March in (...)

Batwa women faced with several problems

03-15-2019 Discrimination, under-representation in decision-making bodies, lack of land and raw materials for pottery, are among the problems encountered by Batwa women in Burundi. Esperance Minani, a Mutwa from Mwaro, says in the past, a Mutwa woman lived on pottery. Today, it is no longer possible due to the lack (...)

Commission of Inquiry on Burundi still concerned over human rights violation

03-13-2019 The UN Commission of Inquiry on Burundi has presented an oral briefing on the prevailing human situation in Burundi during the 40th regular session of Human Rights Council. The commission remains very concerned over the human rights violations. Doudou Diène, Chairman of the commission has said that the commission (...)

OHCHR completely closes its doors in Burundi

03-05-2019 The decision to close the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights became effective on 28 February. After 23 years operating in Burundi, the latter has entered into serious discussions with the government on the procedure to close its doors in the country. On 5 December 2018, (...)

MPs recommend vigorous enforcement of law on GBV

02-12-2019 The commission in charge of social affairs and gender at the National Assembly has presented a report it conducted on the application of the law on the prevention and protection of victims of violence based on gender in six provinces. MP Adolphe Banyikwa, chairman of the commission says the (...)

UDHR: Burundi needs financial support to respect human rights

12-11-2018 Burundi government appeals to foreign partners to financially support the country so that it can reinforce human rights. The Minister in charge of human rights said it during the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights-UDHR in Gatumba commune, Bujumbura province this December 10, (...)

About 4000 Burundians reported victims of human trafficking since 2015, says FENADEB

11-07-2018 Government, Civil Society Organizations and International Organizations remain concerned about human trafficking in Burundi. A debate session was organized this Tuesday, November 6, to elaborate a plan of integrated activities aimed at banning the trade of humans in the country. Jacques Nshimirimana, chairman of the national federation of associations (...)