Free Journalist Floriane Irangabiye!

Journalist and mother of two young children Floriane Irangabiye was arbitrarily detained and convicted this January in Burundi for what the government called "undermining the integrity of the national territory." She was sentenced to ten years in prison and a one million Burundian francs fine by the High Court of Mukaza in Bujumbura.

During the trial, the prosecution presented comments made during the broadcasting of a radio show where she criticized the government of Burundi. In an audio recording of the show retrieved by the prosecutor, she purportedly said: "the population is resigned to the evils of the leaders of Burundi, citizens do not express themselves for fear of being killed, we call on Burundians to brave the fear."

Floriane Irangabiye’s unfair prosecution is motivated by continuous efforts by Burundian authorities to clamp down on peaceful dissent, despite multiple promises by President Evariste Ndayishimiye to improve the country's human rights situation.

Join us to call on Burundi leadership to demand her freedom.