Burundi / Africa

  

When Burundian journalist Jean Bigirimana disappeared, his colleagues tried to solve the case

Five years ago, Abbas Mbazumutima led a team of journalists from the independent Burundian news outlet Iwacu in investigating a story no reporter should ever have to write — about the July 22, 2016 disappearance of their colleague, reporter Jean Bigirimana, who went missing shortly after receiving a call from an intelligence source. The Iwacu…

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CPJ calls on Burundi government to let all news outlets operate without conditions

Nairobi July 8, 2021— In light of Burundi’s decision to lift bans on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and pro-government news site Ikiriho, the Committee to Protect Journalists called on the country to reinstate all banned media outlets. CPJ also expressed alarm at the conditions the U.S. Congress-funded Voice of America (VOA) said were placed…

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CPJ, rights groups call on EU to uphold Burundi human rights commitments, including press freedom

The Committee to Protect Journalists and other human rights groups today called on European Union High Representative Josep Borrell and EU foreign ministers in a letter to uphold benchmarks set in 2016 when the EU suspended direct financial support to the Burundian government over its failure to protect human rights, democratic principles, and the rule…

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CPJ joins call for release of 4 Iwacu journalists one year after arrest in Burundi

The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 64 other press freedom and human rights organizations today in a statement calling for the immediate and unconditional release of four journalists with the independent Burundian outlet Iwacu, who were arrested one year ago. The statement called the journalists’ detention a “stark reminder” of Burundi’s “little tolerance for independent…

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CPJ calls on Burundi’s new president to free Iwacu journalists, respect press freedom

The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on new Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye to free Iwacu journalists and respect press freedom.

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Burundi court rejects imprisoned Iwacu journalists’ appeal

Nairobi, June 5, 2020 — In response to a Burundi court’s decision today to reject the appeal of four Iwacu media group journalists who are serving 2.5-year prison terms, as reported by their employer, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: “Burundian authorities should never have arrested the four detained Iwacu journalists; rejecting…

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A man casts his ballot in Giheta, central Burundi, on May 20, 2020. Authorities disrupted access to social media networks during the election. (AFP)

Burundi blocks social media access during presidential elections

Nairobi, May 20, 2020 — In response to Burundian authorities’ blocking of social media networks during today’s presidential elections, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement:

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Supporters of the ruling party are seen in Bugendana, Burundi, on April 27, 2020. CPJ recently joined a letter calling on Burundi to maintain internet access during the elections. (AP/Berthier Mugiraneza)

CPJ joins call urging Burundi to maintain internet access during elections

The Committee to Protect Journalists yesterday joined 30 other rights organizations in a joint letter urging the government of Burundi to ensure that the internet remains accessible before, during, and after the presidential elections scheduled for tomorrow.

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Four Iwacu journalists, (L to R) Agnes Ndirubusa, Christine Kamikazi, Egide Harerimana, Terence Mpozenzi, and the driver Adolphe Masabarakiza, appear at the High Court in Bubanza, western Burundi, on December 30, 2019. The journalists plan to appeal their sentence. (AFP/Tchandrou Nitanga)

CPJ calls on Burundi to release 4 Iwacu journalists on appeal

Nairobi, May 4, 2020 — In advance of an upcoming appeal hearing for four journalists at Burundian news website Iwacu, who were sentenced to 2.5 years in prison in January, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement:

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CPJ, 80 media and rights groups urge African heads of state to release jailed journalists

CPJ and 80 media, press freedom, and human rights organizations write to African heads of state to call on their respective governments to release all jailed journalists amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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