Learning from HRDs: The Human Rights Crisis in Burundi

Marc Niyonkuru is an independent journalist from Burundi who has reported on human rights violations since 2008. He has investigated and disclosed arms trafficking and human rights abuse during the electoral process.

In April 2015, the Burundian government created a paramilitary movement called Imbonerakure. This movement is supporting policemen and soldiers who are involved in violence around the country.

Before the war, journalists tried in vain to prevent the violence in Burundi. They explained that in the absence of space for political opposition and the reduced space for freedom of expression, the country was going towards war. Instead freedom of expression has been reduced and a paramilitary movement has been trained by the government.

After about a year and half of violence in Burundi, how can we protect people from being killed by security institutions and promote freedom of expression in the country?

Marc Niyonkuru is currently a visiting fellow at the Centre for Applied Human Rights (CAHR) under the auspices of the Protective Fellowship Scheme for HRDs at Risk. The Learning from HRDs lecture series showcases front line human rights work conducted by CAHR's visiting human rights defenders.