Month: June 2025
SOS-TORTURE Burundi REPORT NO. 497 PUBLISHED ON 22 JUNE 2025
This report by SOS-Torture Burundi covers the period from 14 to 21 June 2025 and documents cases of human rights violations committed on Burundian territory.
During this period, four (4) people were murdered in the province of Cibitoke and in the town hall of Bujumbura.
The report also reports the arbitrary arrest of one (1) priest by agents of the National Intelligence Service (SNR) in the province of Rumonge, as well as the kidnapping of two (2) people in Bujumbura town hall.
Observation report of the legislative and communal elections of 5 June 2025
Introduction
This report summarizes the findings of the observation conducted by SOS-Torture/Burundi monitors on the occasion of the legislative and communal elections held on June 5, 2025. It aims to assess the regularity, transparency and fairness of the electoral process and to make recommendations to strengthen democratic guarantees in Burundi.
Observation report of the election of June 5, 2025 in Burundi
SOS-TORTURE Burundi REPORT NO. 496 PUBLISHED ON JUNE 15, 2025
This report by SOS-Torture Burundi covers the period from 7 to 14 June 2025 and documents cases of human rights violations committed on Burundian territory.
During this period, five (5) people were murdered in the provinces of Cibitoke, Gitega and Rumonge.
The report also mentions four (4) people seriously injured by Imbonerakure, mainly in the context of cases of political intolerance following the recent election, as well as the arbitrary arrest of three (3) association leaders at the Melchior Ndadaye International Airport in Bujumbura.
Press release relating to the elections of June 5, 2025 in Burundi
PRESS RELEASE
Burundi’s 5 June 2025 elections: an electoral process marred by repression, fraud and media censorship
SOS-Torture/Burundi expresses its deep concern about the conduct of the legislative and communal elections of 5 June 2025, which took place in a climate of intimidation, targeted violence, electoral fraud and a clear shrinking of civic space. This process, instead of being a step towards democratic consolidation, has turned out to be a real regression in terms of political freedoms, transparency and citizen participation.
Evidence documented by SOS-Torture/Burundi and corroborated by multiple testimonies collected from journalists, observers and political party representatives reveals that the elections were strongly marked by intimidation and violence. In several provinces of the country, including Bubanza, Bujumbura, Gitega, Makamba, and Ngozi, Imbonerakure, a militia affiliated with the ruling party, were deployed to force citizens to vote under threat, expel opposition representatives from polling stations, and suppress any dissent. Arbitrary arrests and acts of physical violence were also recorded.
Download here Press release relating to the elections of June 5, 2025 in Burundi
REPORT NO. 495 OF SOS-TORTURE BURUNDI PUBLISHED ON JUNE 8, 2025
This report by SOS-Torture Burundi covers the period from 31 May to 8 June 2025 and documents cases of human rights violations committed on Burundian territory.
During this period, three (3) people were murdered in the provinces of Cibitoke, Gitega and Kirundo.
The report also notes the arbitrary arrest and detention of two (2) activists of the Council of Patriots (CDP) party, respectively in the province of Bubanza and in the town hall of Bujumbura, as well as the kidnapping of the director of the communal high school of Ruseseka in the province of Cibitoke.
SOS-TORTURE Burundi REPORT NO. 494
This report by SOS-Torture Burundi covers the period from 25 to 31 May 2025 and documents cases of human rights violations committed in Burundi.
During this period, one (1) person was murdered in Gitega province.
The report also notes several cases of political intolerance and electoral violence committed throughout the national territory.