09-02-2016 ■ Human Rights Watch’s Alison Des Forges Award celebrates the valor of individuals who put their lives in danger to protect the dignity and rights of others. According to Human Rights Watch, Pierre Claver Mbonimpa has shown tireless dedication to the human rights cause as one of Burundi’s most prominent (...)

08-30-2016 ■ In a press release issued this Friday, the Brussels Bar and its Human Rights Institute express their indignation against political authorities’ decision to dismiss four lawyers from the Bujumbura bar. According to that declaration, Armel Niyongere, Vital Nshimirimana, Lambert Nigarura and Dieudonne Bashirahishize are threatened with the ultimate sanction (...)

08-18-2016 ■ Martin Nivyabandi, the Minister in charge of Human Rights, recognizes that such practice is common in Burundi. This was reported during a press briefing held in Bujumbura the capital on 17 August. “It has been reported that the National Intelligence Services detains and tortures people. But we noticed that (...)

08-09-2016 ■ The UN Committee against Torture-UNCAT has voiced grave concern about reported reprisals against four Burundian lawyers.  Armel Niyongere, Lambert Nigarura, Dieudonné Bashirahishize and Vital Nshimirimana – who provided information to the UNCAT for a special review of Burundi in Geneva on 28 and 29 July- will be dismissed from (...)

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 (...)

07-29-2016 ■ In a statement issued on 27 July, the Human Rights Watch organization reported over 300 cases of rape or sexual assault committed by the Imbonerakure youths and men in police uniforms. The latter deny the allegations. From May until September 2015, 323 (264 women and 59 girls) cases of (...)

07-26-2016 ■ The UN Committee against torture will conduct a special review of Burundi on 28 and 29 July in Geneva, in the light of the information it has recently received about the deteriorating human rights situation in the country. According to the statement issued on 25 July by the UN (...)

02-25-2015 ■ Bujumbura’s Court of Appeal decided to release provisionally Bob Rugurika. The defense was tentatively satisfied.-By Philippe Ngendakumana, translated by Diane Uwimana On Wednesday, 18 February, Lambert Nigarura was at the zenith from 11:30 a.m after the judgment was announced granting bail to the RPA Director who had been imprisoned (...)

02-23-2015 ■ On Thursday, 19 February, Bob Rugurika returned triumphantly to Bujumbura.-By Dieudonné Hakizimana, Monia Bella Inakanyambo,Léandre Sikuyavuga &Philippe Ngendakumana, translated by Diane Uwimana After the announcement of the release of Bob Rugurika from Muramvya prison, people poured in to Bujumbura from everywhere. The crowd spanned the city, from “Gare du (...)

01-14-2015 ■ The rumor abounded that MrHussein Radjabu, former member of the governing party CNDD-FDD, would be released on Thursday 30th December 2014. His followers from different corners of the country were assembled at the Mpimba central prison in order to welcome and support him.-By Lorraine JosianeManishatse Hussein was imprisoned in April (...)