Despite promises of reform by President Évariste Ndayishimiye, Burundi remains a nation plagued by human rights violations, political repression, and a culture of impunity. Reports from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the UN highlight continued atrocities, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, and severe restrictions on civil society and the media.


Crackdown on Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders

The Burundian government has intensified its repression of human rights activists. In February 2023, five defenders from organizations working on gender-based violence and land rights were arrested at the Bujumbura airport before a meeting in Uganda. The government accused them of “endangering state security and rebellion” based solely on their affiliation with international organizations. They were later transferred to Mpimba Central Prison under politically motivated charges. Such arrests reflect a broader crackdown on civil society, which has been ongoing since 2015, with many activists forced into exile

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The conviction of journalist Floriane Irangabiye in January 2023 to 10 years in prison for “undermining the integrity of the national territory” is another example of the government’s suppression of free speech. Her trial was widely criticized for lacking due process

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State-Backed Violence and Impunity

The Imbonerakure, the youth wing of the ruling party, has been implicated in widespread abuses, including enforced disappearances, summary executions, and acts of sexual violence against perceived political opponents. Amnesty International reports that rape, particularly gang rape, has been used as a form of intimidation and punishment against women and men accused of opposing the government. These crimes often occur with the direct or tacit approval of state actors

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The UN Commission of Inquiry has described the situation as a “‘calm’ based on terror,” where outward stability masks deep-seated fear among civilians. Political opponents, journalists, and civil society members continue to face arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances. Even returning refugees from neighboring countries such as Tanzania have been subjected to intimidation, violence, and accusations of supporting opposition groups

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Repression of Political Opponents

The Burundian government has systematically targeted political opponents, often under the guise of national security concerns. In 2020, twelve exiled human rights defenders and journalists were convicted in absentia on charges related to a failed coup attempt in 2015. The trial, which lacked basic due process standards, was part of a broader effort to criminalize dissent and silence critics of the government

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Furthermore, security forces have been accused of forcibly disappearing opposition figures. Reports indicate that many individuals arrested by state intelligence services have never been seen again, with authorities refusing to acknowledge their detention

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Gender-Based Violence and Discrimination

Discriminatory policies and sexual violence remain persistent issues. In 2019, local authorities in Rutana province imposed a 7 PM curfew for women, barring them from entering markets or bars without their husbands. Women have also been subjected to politically motivated sexual violence, often linked to the ruling party’s militia groups

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Conclusion: Burundi’s Ongoing Human Rights Crisis

The Burundian government continues to commit and tolerate severe human rights abuses, despite claims of reform. The international community, particularly the UN Human Rights Council, is urged to maintain scrutiny over Burundi and push for accountability. Without genuine structural changes and respect for civil liberties, the country remains in a state of political repression and fear.

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