Journalist's Conviction Violates Free Speech Rights hrw: Burundi
journalist Floriane Irangabiye on charges of"undermining the integrity of the national territory" on January 2, 2023, violates her rights to free speech and to a fair trial, Human Rights Watch said today. The High court of Mukaza sentenced her to 10 years in prison and a fine of 1,000,000 Burundian Francs . Irangabiye's lawyers lodged an appeal on January 23.
"Floriane Irangabiye's conviction highlights the Burundian authorities' manipulation of the justice system to shut down criticism," said, Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch."If the Burundian authorities are serious about reforms, they should end their vendetta against those they perceive to be against the government, including the scores of journalists and human rights defenders who fled after the country's 2015 political crisis.
Based on the verdict, the prosecution cited Irangabiye's regular trips between Rwanda, where she was based, and Burundi, and accused her of criticizing the Burundian government and inciting youth to overthrow the government, including by taking part in meetings with Burundian youth in exile in Rwanda.
Based on the verdict, during her trial, Irangabiye's defense team asserted that the court should disregard the answers she gave during these interrogations, but the court dismissed the request.
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