04-23-2018 ■ The government of Burundi is proceeding with the activity of removing all children and beggars from the streets.The latter say the government should help them financially. “I am no longer able to cultivate. How will I live without any help?” says an old woman met in a transit center (...)

04-20-2018 ■ Residents of Ngagara (Q2) neighborhood, Ngagara Zone, north of Bujumbura are gripped by fear. They report that machete-armed people attacked this neighborhood three times within a week. They demand that the police strengthen security. “Yesterday night, around 2 am, I heard my neighbors crying loudly calling for help. Then (...)

04-20-2018 ■ The National Assembly analyzed on 19 April, a bill revising the law on the press. Article 7 of the bill requires media professional to hold at least a bachelor’s degree in journalism. MPs worry that some journalists will be dismissed. Agathon Rwasa, First deputy-speaker of the National Assembly deplores (...)

04-20-2018 ■ On April 18, the National Assembly adopted a bill on the revision of the code of criminal procedure. The latter causes disputes among politicians. “This bill is a flagrant violation of individual rights and freedom,” says Phénias Nigaba, FRODEBU party spokesman. He says his party is worried about the (...)

04-19-2018 ■ “The government never declared that it intends to boycott the inter-Burundian dialogue since it takes the latter as a priority in the resolution of the problems that the country is facing,” reads the statement issued on 17 April. The statement read by Philippe Nzobonariba, Secretary General of the government, (...)

04-19-2018 ■ The Minister of Justice presented a bill on the revision of the code of criminal procedure before the National Assembly this April 18, which was afterwards adopted. Among the amendments, the bill provides for an overnight search which has been a bone of contention among some MPs. “The night (...)

04-18-2018 ■ After the announcement of the Ministry of the Interior that there is an activity to identify and collect data on nonprofit organizations working in each province, PARCEM chairman says this identification is not following the rules. Faustin Ndikumana, Chairman of PARCEM, a local NGO aiming at awakening people’s conscience (...)

04-18-2018 ■ During a visit that he conducted to IWACU Press Group on 17 April, Mr. Thomas Strieder, Ambassador of Germany to Burundi has said “Iwacu represents media freedom in the country.” Ambassador Strieder has said he appreciates the work done by Iwacu despite a number of challenges.”It takes courage to (...)

04-18-2018 ■ “Opponents are threatened and arbitrarily killed,” reads the report released by Human Rights Watch on human rights situation in Burundi on 17 April. According to this NGO, Burundians suspected of opposing the referendum are mistreated. Human Rights Watch has recorded 19 cases of abuse since 12 December 2017. It (...)

04-17-2018 ■ While 16April is the international day for the abolition of child slavery, child rights activist says the latter affects most poor families and orphans who are left to struggle on their own. Ferdinand Simbaruhije, Secretary General of Burundi National Federation of Child Rights Organizations (FENABEB), says there are two (...)