Justice

Melchiade Nzopfabarushe sentenced to three years in prison over hate speech accusation
05-01-2018
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Three years in jail and a BIF 300,000 fine is the sentence that was given to Melchiade Nzopfabarushe this April 30 over accusation of delivering hate remarks. It is 11: 30AM in the central prison of Mpimba , Nzopfabarushe Melchiade tuns up accompanied by his attorney. After 10 min (...)

Some MPs concerned about overnight search
04-19-2018
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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 (...)

Burundi government rejects Human Rights Watch report
04-18-2018
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“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 (...)

Human rights ministry satisfied with its achievements despite controversial reviews
04-02-2018
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In the presentation of the 2018 first quarterly achievements by the Ministry of Human Rights, Social Affairs and Gender, action plans were executed at 90% while government action plans were carried out at 92, 3% compared with the expected activities . Martin Nivyabandi, Minister of Human Rights, Social Affairs (...)

Nine girls killed after being raped in Burundi, children rights watchdog says
03-30-2018
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“We have recorded nine cases of girls, victims of sexual violence leading to their death or injury since June 2017,” reads a statement issued on 29 March by the Burundian National Federation of Child Rights Organizations (FENADEB). The majority of victims are students of secondary school, according to the (...)

BBC correspondent questioned about her March 12 news report
03-22-2018
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After a three hour-court hearing, Judith Basutama, the BBC correspondent stepped out the court. She looks calm and talks quietly with her lawyer. She has appeared in Mukaza High Court this Wednesday 21 March. “The file number is LNP 2025\BA1, an investigative legal file. She was summoned for the (...)

Burundi: BBC correspondent summoned for “investigation”
03-21-2018
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Judith Basutama, a Burundian correspondent for the BBC, was summoned to appear on Wednesday 21 March, in Mukaza High Court. She was summoned for an” investigation case”. On 13 March, There were rumblings on social media that she was reportedly summoned to appear in the presidential office. She would (...)

CNTB judgment described as partial
03-13-2018
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The National Commission for Lands and other Properties (CNTB) handed over yesterday a plot of 3 ha located in Kajaga district of Mutimbuzi Commune in Bujumbura province, to the descendants of Gahinga Issa represented by Bambarukontari Alexis. This parcel has been exploited by Evariste Ndizeye since 1991. The latter (...)

“Burundians must be vigilant about child mistreatment”, says child rights watchdog
03-12-2018
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The police have arrested Evariste Minani, 48, a widower from Gitwa Hill, Gatsinda area of Mwumba commune in Ngozi Province, accusing him of raping his 18 old-year daughter. Since 8 March, he is jailed in Ngozi judicial police dungeon. Emmanuel Ndayizeye, administrator of Mwumba Commune says the perpetrator was (...)
CNIDH: “Demotion decision is based on allegations, hearsay and second-hand information”
03-06-2018
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Jean Baptiste Baribonekeza, Chairman of the National Commission for Human Rights says his commission has not yet received an official notification of the decision that demoted CNIDH from statute A to B even if the process lasted two years. He says CNIDH has already introduced a resort. The deadline (...)