As the Minister for Human Rights, His Excellency Martin Nivyabandi, acknowledged during Burundi’s Universal Periodic Review in January, the country is approaching “a major and decisive turning point in its history”, with a referendum on constitutional amendments due to take place in May. Amnesty International believes that such a major national decision should take place in a context where the rights to freedom of expression (including access to information), association and peaceful assembly are fully respected and protected, and where genuine debate can take place without fear of reprisals.
