Burundi: Human rights defender’s trial starts: Germain Rukuki
Burundian human rights defender, Germain Rukuki, is being prosecuted for ‘threatening state security’ and ‘rebellion’ on account of his human rights work. Amnesty International considers him to be a prisoner of conscience.
UA: 32/18 Index: AFR 16/7869/2018 Burundi Date: 13 February 2018
URGENT ACTION
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER’S TRIAL STARTS
Burundian human rights defender, Germain Rukuki, is being prosecuted for ‘threatening
state security’ and ‘rebellion’ on account of his human rights work. Amnesty
International considers him to be a prisoner of conscience.
Germain Rukuki is the president of a community organization called Njabutsa Tujane, an employee of the
Burundian Catholic Lawyers Association and a former member of Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture
(ACAT-Burundi). ACAT-Burundi was closed down and deregistered by the Minister of Interior in October 2016,
along with several other independent human rights groups, accused of working to ‘tarnish the image of the country’
and ‘sow hatred and division among the Burundian population’.
He was arrested on 13 July 2017 in Bujumbura and has been held in pre-trial detention since. He was initially held
and interrogated by the National Intelligence Service (SNR) without a lawyer present. On 26 July 2017, he was
transferred to a prison in Ngozi. On 1 August 2017, Germain Rukuki was formally charged with ‘threatening state
security’ and ‘rebellion’ for collaborating with ACAT-Burundi. An email exchange dating back to a period when
ACAT-Burundi was legally registered in Burundi has been presented as evidence against him.
Germain Rukuki was denied bail on 17 August 2017, a decision that was upheld on 31 October 2017. His trial
started on 13 February 2018.
Amnesty International considers Germain Rukuki to be a prisoner of conscience who has been imprisoned solely
for the peaceful exercise of his human rights.
Please write immediately in French, English or your own language:
Urging the authorities to drop all charges and release Germain Rukuki immediately and unconditionally;
Calling on them to ensure that he has access to his family and the lawyer of his choice, pending his
release;
Urging them to ensure that he is protected from torture or other ill-treatment while detained;
Urging them to stop harassing human rights defenders and to publicly recognize the legitimacy of their
activities.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 27 MARCH 2018 TO:
Minister of Justice
Aimée Laurentine Kanyana
Ministry of Justice
BP 1305
Bujumbura, Burundi
Salutation: Dear Minister
Prosecutor General of the Republic
Sylvestre Nyandwi
Parquet General
BP 105
Bujumbura, Burundi
Email: sylnyandwi@yahoo.fr
Salutation: Dear Prosecutor General
And copies to:
Minister of Human Rights, Social Affairs
and Gender
Martin Nivyabandi
Ministry of Human Rights, Social Affairs
and Gender,
Ex-Building of Finances,
Bujumbura, Burundi
Email: mnivyabandi@yahoo.com
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please insert local diplomatic addresses below:
Name Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 Fax Fax number Email Email address Salutation Salutation
Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.
URGENT ACTION
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER’S TRIAL STARTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Since the start of the political crisis in April 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his decision to stand for a third
term in office that sparked widespread demonstrations, the Burundian authorities have engaged in an extensive clampdown on
independent civil society and media. Many human rights defenders have fled the country for their safety and many others are
being unjustly prosecuted simply for their human rights work.
Name: Germain Rukuki
Gender m/f: M
UA: 32/18 Index: AFR 16/7869/2018 Issue Date: 13 February 2018