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Burundi: Detentions of Political Opponents Threaten RightsThe detention of political activist Alexis Sinduhije and 36 others by Burundian police on November 3, 2008, highlights the growing obstacles to the free exercise of civil and political rights in Burundi, Human Rights Watch said today. Sinduhije, well-known as a former radio journalist, has been trying since February to form an opposition political party, the Movement for Security and Democracy (MSD).
Source : Human Rights Watch | 04-Nov-2008 06:00
Burundi: Muyinga Massacre Convictions a Victory
15 Soldiers Sentenced for Executions of 31 Civilians The October 23 conviction by a military tribunal of 15 soldiers for the massacre of 31 civilians in Muyinga province in 2006 is an important blow against impunity in Burundi, Human Rights Watch said today. The series of killings is among the worst atrocities committed by state security forces since President Pierre Nkurunziza took office in 2005.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 24-Oct-2008 07:00
United States: Bush Signs Law on Child Soldiers
Measure to Prosecute Recruiters Abroad Puts Commanders on Notice Under a new law signed today by US President George W. Bush, leaders of military forces and armed groups who have recruited child soldiers may be arrested and prosecuted in the United States, Human Rights Watch said today. The law could apply to leaders of dozens of forces that have recruited and used child soldiers in over 20 armed conflicts.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 03-Oct-2008 07:00
Burundi: Constitutional Court Decision Unseats 22 Lawmakers
Lawyers, Civil Society Allege Bias and Political Manipulation by Ruling Party The ousting of 22 National Assembly members, following a Constitutional Court decision that they could not sit as ?independents,? raises serious concerns about double standards given that other independent deputies supporting the government remain in parliament, Human Rights Watch said today. The affected parliamentarians had been elected as members of the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (Conseil national pour la d?fense de la d?mocratie-Forces pour la d?fense de la d?mocratie, CNDD-FDD), but had left or been expelled from the party following internal divisions.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 17-Jun-2008 07:00
Burundi: Release Civilians Detained Without Charge
Stop Arbitrary Arrests, Beatings of Alleged FNL Members Burundian police and judicial officials should immediately release the scores of persons still detained solely as suspected members of a movement long opposed to the government, Human Rights Watch said today. They should also instruct security forces to cease such arrests.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 29-May-2008 07:00
Burundi: Government Should Act to End Police Abuses
Climate of Impunity Contributes to Illegal Detention, Beatings and Torture The Burundian government should take immediate steps to end the climate of impunity that facilitates illegal detention, mistreatment and torture of individuals by the police, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 30-Apr-2008 07:00
Burundi: Investigate Attacks on Opposition
Burundian authorities should promptly investigate grenade attacks on four prominent opposition politicians and bring those responsible to justice, Human Rights Watch said today. The attacks on the politicians? homes took place almost simultaneously on March 8, 2008, suggesting they were a coordinated effort to intimidate the political opposition to the ruling party, the National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (Conseil National pour le D?fense de la D?mocratie-Forces pour le D?fense de la D?mocratie, CNDD-FDD). They followed two months of growing tension between the CNDD-FDD and opposition political parties.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 12-Mar-2008 06:00
Burundi: Suspect in Muyinga Killings Must Be Returned to Face Justice
Burundi should formally request that Tanzania extradite Col. Vital Bangirinama to ensure he comes home to face justice over the 2006 Muyinga massacre, Human Rights Watch said today. Burundi must also ensure that Bangirinama, a Burundian military officer accused of involvement in the summary execution of at least 31 civilians in Muyinga province, receives a trial in accordance with international standards and that he and any witnesses are guaranteed protection.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 04-Feb-2008 06:00
Burundi: Bring Muyinga Massacre Suspects to Trial
Government Should End Military Impunity, Show Commitment to Justice The Burundian government should bring to trial soldiers accused of the 2006 killings of 31 civilians in Muyinga province, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch urged the government to prosecute all military personnel implicated in the killings, regardless of rank.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 26-Sep-2007 07:00
UN: Summit on Africa Should Not Overlook Justice
United Nations Security Council leaders meeting today to discuss peace and security in Africa should not leave justice off the agenda, Human Rights Watch said. French President Nicolas Sarkozy is chairing the meeting this afternoon in New York.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 25-Sep-2007 07:00
Burundi: Donors Should Press for End to Impunity
Financial Support Needed for Reforms in Justice and Healthcare Donors meeting May 24-25 with the Burundian government should provide support for justice reform, but also urge the government to end impunity for serious human rights abuses, Human Rights Watch said today.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 21-May-2007 07:00
Tanzania: Expulsions Put Vulnerable People at Risk
Tanzania should immediately suspend its program to expel people of Rwandan and Burundian origin from Tanzania, and end the abuses that its security forces are committing against these people, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 07-May-2007 07:00
Sri Lanka and Burundi Human Rights Defenders Win 2007 Martin Ennals Award
Human Rights Watch, as one of the members on the Jury of the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders (MEA), announced today that the 2007 Laureates are:
Source : Human Rights Watch | 04-May-2007 07:00
Burundi: Children Behind Bars Suffer Abuse
Donors Should Help Implement Reforms to Protect Children Children in Burundi who find themselves in conflict with the law face serious abuses in a criminal justice system that treats them as adults, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.
Source : Human Rights Watch | 15-Mar-2007 06:00