Archives

08-08-2016 ■ After three days of investigations on the ground, Iwacu journalists found a body in the area where, according to several sources, the journalist disappeared. Iwacu decided to publish the following account of the investigations. Friday, August 5 Shortly after the disappearance of Jean Bigirimana, Iwacu started an investigation to (...)

08-08-2016 ■ A statement from the Burundian government denounces the UNSC resolution 2303 and accuses France of trying to destabilize Burundi. It declines the deployment of UN police officers in Burundi. “The Government of Burundi rejects any provision of the resolution related to the deployment of any force on its territory.” (...)

08-05-2016 ■ This measure was implemented on 4 August by the police. PAFE (Migration police) agents prevented all public transportation buses going to or from Rwanda from crossing the border. Sources from Kanyaru border post revealed that travelers who left Bujumbura before 10 am were able to continue their trip but (...)

08-05-2016 ■ Investigations by CNIDH could not help find journalist Jean Bigirimana. But there is some hope he is still alive. Is journalist Jean Bigirimana still alive? Where is he? Journalists were anxious as they waited for the results of investigations by the CNIDH (National Independent Commission on Human Rights) this (...)

08-05-2016 ■ Carina Tertsakian, the head of Burundi program at Human Rights Watch reacts to the abduction of our colleague and estimates that the police should do their job. What is your analysis two weeks after the abduction of Jean Bigirimana? Human Rights Watch is deeply concerned about the disappearance of (...)

08-05-2016 ■ On the eve of the celebration of the national day of communes on 6 August, the local NGO–PARCEM organized this 3 August a press briefing to give some solutions to different challenges observed in communes. “A commune is the showcase for the development achievements. However, some challenges are still (...)

08-04-2016 ■ The prominent human rights activist, APRODH chairman, advises Burundians to shun divisions and revenge. “Keep courage and say no to temptations to ethnic divisions, as well as to hate and all kinds of incendiary speeches regardless of where they come from”. That is a piece of advice to Burundian (...)

08-04-2016 ■ As promised to Iwacu, the chairman of CNIDH (National Independent Commission on Human Rights) went to Muramvya Wednesday afternoon to investigate the whereabouts of journalist Jean Bigirimana. The Commission chairman was expected to give a press conference the night of the very day. Eventually, the commission announced the conference (...)

08-04-2016 ■ On 29 July, Bujumbura Court of Appeal public prosecutor addressed a correspondence to the Burundi Bar Association about disbarring four lawyers. Armel Niyongere, Vital Nshimirimana, Dieudonne Bashirahishize and Lambert Nigarura were accused of non-compliance with professional ethics. The first two lawyers were specifically charged with involvement in some criminal (...)

08-03-2016 ■ Pieces of information persist pointing to the fact that journalist Jean Bigirimana may be detained in one of the National Intelligence Service’s cells in Muramvya province. This contradicts the enduring denial by the Burundian police that the intelligence service detains the journalist. Our sources say that “he has been (...)