Journalists’ arrests condemned

The New York based organisation, Human Rights Watch, has condemned the arrest of two journalists by the Burundi authorities for airing an interview with a rebel spokesman. In a statement issued on Friday, HRW called for the immediate release of the journalists - Abbas Mbazumutima and Gabriel Nikundana of the private Bonesha FM radio. “With these arrests, Burundi has broken with its relative openness to freedom of the press and is infringing on the right of the people to know what is happening in this war,” said Peter Takirambudde, executive director of HRW’s Africa division.

“What’s more, it makes no sense to punish journalists for talking with the rebels when representatives of the government themselves are apparently doing the same.” Bonesha FM earlier this month broadcast an interview with Anicet Ntawuhiganayo, spokesman of the rebel Forces nationales de liberation (FNL). “Private radio stations play an important role in providing unbiased reporting to Burundians,” Takirambudde added. “We call on the government of Burundi to allow that freedom of information to continue.

It is fundamental to developing the more open and inclusive society necessary for peace in Burundi.” The arrests were also condemned by another human rights organisation, Amnesty International.