Burundi: Shooting of human rights activist increases climate of fear
The brazen attack on leading human rights defender, Pierre-Claver Mbonimpa, is part of a disturbing escalation of politically motivated violence in Burundi and authorities must act to calm the situation and bring those responsible to justice, said Amnesty International.
(c) Jean Pierre Aime
Pierre-Claver Mbonimpa, president of the Association for the Protection of Human Rights and Detained People (APRODH), was shot and injured by gunmen in Bujumbura on 3 August. The attack took place a day after the assassination of General Adolphe Nshimirimana, chief security advisor to the
Presidency.
"This brazen attack on Pierre-Claver Mbonimpa, a man who works tirelessly to protect the rights of others, is deeply shocking," said Sarah Jackson, Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes.
"The Burundian authorities must act swiftly to reverse a growing climate of fear and violence by publicly calling for calm and bringing the attackers to justice."
Many human rights defenders and journalists have been forced to flee Burundi since the beginning of the year following the government's crackdown on critics after President Pierre Nkurunziza's decision to stand for a third-term in office.
On 2 August, Esdras Ndikumana, a Burundian journalist reporting for Radio France Internationale (RFI) from the scene of General Nshimirimana's murder, was arrested by government security forces. He was released from detention after a few hours after having been badly beaten and sustaining
injuries including a broken finger.
"Burundian authorities must ensure effective protection for all, including measures to allow human rights defenders and journalists to work in a safe environment. Politically motivated attacks, including the assassination of General Nshimirimana, must be independently and impartially
investigated and those responsible prosecuted," said Sarah Jackson.
"Regional and international efforts to end the crisis in Burundi should resume without delay to prevent further human rights violations."