[hr-media] Burundi: Journalists subjected to constant attacks

News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International
AI-index: AFR 16/004/2003     20/02/2003


Amnesty International condemns an armed attack on the home of a radio 
journalist which resulted in the death of his night watchman.

"The Burundian authorities should order an independent and impartial 
investigation into the attack and ensure that the perpetrators are brought 
to justice," the organization said.

In the early hours of 19 February 2003, shots were fired by unknown people 
at the house of Alexis Sinduhije, director of the independent Burundian 
radio station, Radio publique africaine killing his night watchman, Nzisabira.

"This appears to be a clear act of intimidation against Alexis Sinduhijie 
himself and the Radio publique africaine which has spoken out on human 
rights violations and sensitive political issues, including corruption," 
Amnesty International said.

"Any intimidation of journalists by threats of or actual violence is an 
attack on the most fundamental of human rights - the right to life and the 
rights to freedom of association and expression," Amnesty International said.

The organization urges the Burundian authorities to consult urgently with 
journalists and human rights defenders in order to institute measures to 
protect them from human rights abuses.

Background

Freedom of expression in Burundi is under constant attack and there is a 
well-established pattern of harassment, ill-treatment and intimidation of 
those working in the independent media.

In August 2002, Radio publique africaine broadcasts were temporarily 
suspended for alleged non payment of taxes, a move considered by 
independent observers contacted in Burundi by Amnesty International to have 
been solely motivated by a desire to undermine the radio's independent stance.

In May 2002, the then Minister of Defence barred the media from 
broadcasting interviews with representatives of armed political groups 
saying that journalists should "choose" between the "rebels" and government 
forces. The statement by the Minister of Defence was made after an 
interview with Agathon Rwasa, leader of an armed political group active 
around the capital was broadcast. The interview followed an alleged 
assassination attempt against Agathon Rwasa, widely believed to have been 
orchestrated by senior government representatives as well as senior members 
of the Front pour la Démocratie au Burundi (FRODEBU) political party.

In March 2002, a journalist with Studio Ijambo,an independent radio 
station, was questioned for several hours after covering a demonstration by 
a group opposed to government negotiations with armed political groups. A 
journalist from Radio Bonesha,another independent radio station, was 
ill-treated by police at the same demonstration.

View all documents on Burundi: http://click.topica.com/maaaRJkaaV92Jbb0imPb/

****************************************************************
You may repost this message onto other sources provided the main
text is not altered in any way and both the header crediting
Amnesty International and this footer remain intact. Only the
list subscription message may be removed.
****************************************************************