The Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa, Ms. Reine Alapini-Gansou, and the
Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, Ms. Faith Pansy Tlakula, are deeply
concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation, in addition to an
escalation of violence in Burundi since the announcement of the candidacy of
President Pierre Nkurunziza, on Saturday 25 April 2015 in Bujumbura, for the
upcoming presidential elections.
The
Special Rapporteurs are concerned that, as a result of the violence, it has
been reported that thousands of
Burundians have fled to Rwanda, during the run-up to the election period. Moreover, reports have been received of harassment
of journalists and news outlets in Burundi, with allegations of the suspension of the transmission of at least three radio stations and mobile access to
social media by telecommunications companies.
The Special Rapporteurs condemn all forms of violence, intimidation or
harassment perpetrated against human rights defenders and call upon the
Government of the Republic of Burundi to make every possible effort to protect
the integrity of all civil society actors in Burundi.
Information received at the office of the Special Rapporteur indicates
the arrest and detention of Mr. Pierre Claver
Mbonimpa, Chairperson of the Association for the Protection of Human Rights and
Detained Persons (APRODH), for
more than 24 hours on Monday 27 April 2015 in Bujumbura.
The Special Rapporteurs condemn the
intimidation and other forms of harassment perpetrated against Mr. Pierre
Claver Mbonimpa, Mr. Pacifique Nininahazwe, the Chairperson of the Forum for
Conscience and Development (FOCODE), Mr. Vital Nshimirimana, the Delegate-General
of the Forum for Strengthening Civil Society (FORSC), as well as other human
rights defenders in Burundi.
The Special Rapporteurs urge the Government
of Burundi to respect and guarantee the freedom of opinion, of expression, of
assembly and of peaceful demonstration, as well as the civil and political
rights of all the citizens during this electoral period, in conformity with the
African Charter on Human and Peoples’
Rights.
Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur calls on
the African Union, and the international community at large, to lend their
support to the peaceful outcome of the current electoral process in Burundi.
The Special Rapporteurs wish to underscore
their commitments, and that of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’
Rights, to work with the authorities in Burundi to ensure the promotion and
protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Burundi.
The Special Rapporteurs would like to remind
the Republic of Burundi of its obligations under the United Nations
Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the Grand Bay Declaration and
the Kigali Declaration.
Moreover, the Special Rapporteurs wish to
reiterate the provisions of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of
Expression in Africa (the Declaration on Freedom of Expression), adopted by
the Commission in 2002 to supplement the provisions of Article 9 of the African
Charter. Specifically, Principles I (1) and II of the Declaration on Freedom of
Expression respectively state that “freedom
of expression and information…is a fundamental and inalienable human right and
an indispensable component of democracy” and “any restrictions on freedom of
expression shall be provided by law, serve a legitimate interest and be
necessary in a democratic society.”
Finally, the Special Rapporteur on Human
Rights Defenders in Africa and the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression
and Access to Information call upon the Government of the Republic of Burundi
to collaborate with all civil society stakeholders towards ensuring respect for
human rights throughout the country.
Banjul, 01 May 2015