Burundi Archives - Page 2 of 14 - Committee to Protect Journalists

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

July 17, 2020 9:34 AM EDT

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

Burundi court rejects imprisoned Iwacu journalists’ appeal

June 5, 2020 10:21 AM EDT

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…

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

May 20, 2020 2:20 PM EDT

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:

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

May 19, 2020 12:10 PM EDT

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.

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

May 4, 2020 1:40 PM EDT

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:

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

April 6, 2020 2:14 PM EDT

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.

Burundi court sentences Iwacu journalists to 2.5 years in prison

January 30, 2020 4:30 PM EST

Nairobi, January 30, 2020 — Burundi authorities should not contest the appeal of four journalists from Iwacu convicted today and should stop filing state security charges against reporters, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Four journalists from Burundian news outlet Iwacu (from left) Agnes Ndirubusa, Christine Kamikazi, Terence Mpozenzi, and Egide Harerimana--and their driver Adolphe Masabarakiza--appear at the High Court in Bubanza, western Burundi, on December 30, 2019, charged with undermining state security. (AFP/Tchandrou Nitanga)

Burundi prosecutor seeks 15-year prison term for Iwacu journalists

January 3, 2020 10:40 AM EST

Nairobi, January 3, 2020—Burundi’s public prosecutor on December 30 asked for a 15-year prison term for four journalists for privately owned online news outlet Iwacu and their driver who are charged with undermining state security, according to Iwacu and other news reports. The prosecutor is also seeking to have the five stripped of their right…

Four Iwacu journalists, from left, Térence Mpozenzi, Agnès Ndirubusa, Christine Kamikazi, Egide Harerimana, and their driver, Adolphe Masabarikiza, are detained in Burundi. (Iwacu Media)

Burundi police arrest Iwacu journalists covering unrest

October 23, 2019 4:12 PM EDT

Nairobi, October 23, 2019—Authorities in Burundi should immediately release four journalists and a media worker from the privately-owned news outlet Iwacu, whom police detained in the western Bubanza province yesterday, the Committee to Protect Journalists said.

A man stands in front of a plaque in honor of missing Burundian journalist Jean Bigirimana in Bujumbura during a commemoration to mark one year after the journalist's disappearance on July 21, 2017. On August 2, 2019, CPJ joined a call for the U.N. Human Rights Council to extend the mandate of the Burundi Commission of Inquiry. (AFP/STRINGER)

CPJ joins call for U.N. Human Rights Council to extend mandate of Burundi Commission of Inquiry

August 2, 2019 11:35 AM EDT

The Committee to Protect Journalists today joined 40 other civil society organizations in calling on member and observer states of the U.N. Human Rights Council to extend for a year the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi.