Burundi: CFWIJ Calls For The Unconditional Release Of Journalist Floriane Irangabiye Recently Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison
Location: Burundi
Date: January 4, 2023
Floriane Irangabiye, a journalist who returned home from exile was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Burundian High Court. The Coalition For Women In Journalism calls for her immediate and unconditional release.
Burundian journalist, Floriane Irangabiye, was arrested on August 30 on her return to Burundi to visit her family and was detained without being formally charged with any crime. Intelligence personnel in the capital Bujumbura stopped a vehicle in which Irangabiye was traveling and took her into custody.
Irangabiye is the co-founder of Igicaniro a Rwandan-based Radio known for its critical commentary and debates on Burundian public affairs. Press freedom is severely restricted in Burundi, and dissent is not tolerated and heavily repressed in the country.
Irangabiye has lived in exile in Rwanda since 2009. Given the strained diplomatic relations between the two countries, anyone who has gone into exile in Rwanda is considered as an opponent by the Burundian government.
Irangabiye was initially detained at the intelligence headquarters in Bujumbura, where she was interrogated about her work with Radio Igicaniro, which officers said supported opposition groups. Officials also accused Irangabiye of espionage as well as attacking and undermining the integrity of the State of Burundi to tarnish its image.
On September 8, Irangabiye appeared in court in Bujumbura. Irangabiye was then transferred to Mpimba prison in central Burundi. In late September, she was transferred to Muyinga prison in northern Burundi.
During an October 28 court appearance in Muyinga, Irangabiye was again accused of anti-state crimes against Burundi but also was accused of operating without a journalist’s accreditation.
Attorney General Nyandwi said Irangabiye's pre-trial detention complied with Burundi's code of criminal procedure, that she had been sanctioned by a judge and that authorities were waiting for a court to rule on the case after the preliminary stage of the case.
On January 3, Radio Publique Africaine (RPA) wrote in a Twitter post that Irangabiye was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Burundian High Court. Evidence shows that her sentencing has come as a result of her profession as a journalist.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the arrest, detention and sentencing of Floriane Irangabiye. The journalist should be free to reunite with her family and continue to do her job. Burundi must respect press freedom as a pillar of democracy, stop censoring journalists, and allow the media to disseminate information without interference or fear of reprisal.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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