PUBLISHED: JANUARY 2015

Despite clear protections in the Constitution, the fundamental right to freedom of peaceful assembly in Burundi is framed by a very restrictive law enacted on December 5, 2013: The law on assemblies and public demonstrations. This law came into force in a context of the shrinking of the civic space in Burundi and is implemented in a way that makes peaceful assemblies nearly impossible.

This country note by Audace Gatavu on Burundi provides an overview of the regulation on freedom of assembly including legal definitions, notification procedures and the regulatory approach towards spontaneous gatherings and counter-demonstrations.