Human rights organisation denounces Mukasi's detention

A Burundian human rights organisation, Ligue Sonera, has denounced as inhumane the conditions under which opposition politician Charles Mukasi is being held, and has demanded that his relatives be allowed access to him or he could die from hunger. "Mukasi is living in harsh conditions under the presidential police, we have information that his relatives are not allowed to take food to him," Therence Mushano, spokesman of Ligue Sonera, told IRIN on Sunday. He said only the police were taking food to Mukasi, an indication that there was no longer any trust between the police and the detainee. "We consider this not only a flagrant violation of human rights but also of the new criminal law which states that every prisoner, despite the seriousness of his crime, must benefit from visits by his family members, friends and especially have contact with his lawyer, which is not the case for Mukasi," Mushano said. Mukasi was arrested on Friday in connection with his opposition of the current transitional government in Burundi. He is leader of an extremist faction of the main pro-Tutsi Union pour le progres national political party. His faction did not take part in a peace accord signed in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2000 that led to the formation of the transitional government. Mukasi has been arrested several times before, for his views on Burundian leaders whom he has accused of promoting a culture of impunity. He has stated that he is fighting for the restoration of a state of law in the country. Mukasi's lawyer, Gabriel Sinarinzi, has also termed the arrest illegal and has demanded the immediate release of his client.