Burundi: Charges on journalists in the lead-up to elections intensify concerns about press freedom

BURUNDI, January 7, 2019 - The Coalition For Women In Journalism is concerned about the charges placed on Burundi journalists Agnès Ndirubusa and Christine Kamikazi, along with their two male colleagues and driver. The journalists were arrested in Musigati District while reporting on an armed attack by anti-government rebels. We are extremely disappointed in the justice system of Burundi and demand their release on an immediate basis.

Senior political reporter Agnès and broadcast reporter Christine, as well as their colleagues, have been charged with breaching state security, and have also been denied bail. They all work for a domestic news website Iwacu and were travelling to the northwestern province of Bubanza when they were apprehended in October last year. The charges against them have been placed at a time when the country is preparing for elections this year and is being criticized for its clamp down on journalists and human rights groups.

Agnès, Christine and their colleagues have been accused of “complicity in the breach of the State’s internal security” and the ruling of their case is expected within 30 days. It is concerning for us to learn that if our colleagues are convicted, the state prosecutor has called for 15-years jail sentences and seizure of their belongings along with the car they used while travelling to perform their professional duties. The state prosecutor has also demanded the judge to deny the persecuted journalists their right to vote for five years, as well as the denial of civic rights for 20 years.

It is appalling for the state of Burundi to deny their citizens the basic right to vote. We have also received reports about the government using power and law to suppress press freedom in the country and urge local authorities to do better.

The journalists were ordered to be detained by the court in November and were represented by three lawyers in the court during the hearing held in December 2019. This is no way to treat journalists who are simply doing their jobs by reporting events in the country. We hope that our colleagues are given enough time to defend themselves and are freed as soon as possible.

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The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world, and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

Follow us on Instagram @womeninjournalism and Twitter @CFWIJ.

Our website is WomenInJournalism.org and we can be reached at press@womeninjournalism.org