A Shrinking of Political Space

PUBLISHED: JUNE 2014

This 2014 Amnesty International report documents the shrinking of political space in Burundi in the build-up to the 2015 presidential, legislative and communal elections.

Amnesty International documented an increase in violations of individuals’ rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, including the harassment and intimidation of critical voices by the Government of Burundi. The authorities routinely and arbitrarily deny groups authorization to hold meetings and demonstrations, whose purpose is often to discuss or raise concerns in relation to political developments or state accountability for human rights. The Government of Burundi has denied political opposition groups, the press, the Burundian Bar Association and civil society organizations their rights to association and peaceful assembly.