A Decade in Exile: 10 Years of Struggle for Human Rights in Burundi

Ten years later, the human rights situation in Burundi has not improved. While crimes committed during the crisis remain unpunished, the regime of President Évariste Ndayishimiye, elected in 2020, continues in his predecessor's footsteps by relentlessly suppressing all critical voices. Repression is expected to escalate further in the context of this year’s legislative elections.

Still in exile, human rights defenders tirelessly continue their fight for justice and human rights in Burundi. Their resilience and determination are a reminder that exile is not abandonment, but rather a different form of resistance. We asked them to share their perspectives on the situation in Burundi, the ongoing civil society struggle for justice and peace despite challenges, and their hopes for the future.

Me Armel Niyongere is a lawyer, president of the Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture in Burundi, a General Assembly member of OMCT, and part of the SOS-Torture litigator’s group in Africa. Forced into exile in 2015, he was wanted by authorities for organising peaceful protests in Bujumbura and was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2021. From exile, he founded SOS-Torture Burundi, an OMCT network member that documents human rights violations in Burundi.

How has the human rights situation evolved in the country since 2015?

Since 2015, the human rights situation in Burundi remains extremely concerning. Despite efforts by Burundian authorities to present an image of openness abroad, the reality on the ground remains bleak. Freedoms of expression, association, and assembly are still severely restricted. Repression has become institutionalised.

What challenges does Burundian civil society face?

Independent civil society has been decimated; many organisations have been suspended or banned, and those human rights defenders who remain in the country work under constant surveillance at great risk. Some exiled defenders have been sentenced without being present at the trial to heavy prison terms in unfair trials, often based on fabricated charges. Others have been arbitrarily disbarred. They also face stigmatisation orchestrated by authorities, who portray them as "enemies of the nation," negatively influencing public perception.

Despite superficial political changes, conditions still do not allow for their return: there are no security guarantees, no justice for past crimes, and no genuine political will for structural reform. A climate of fear persists, including for exiled defenders.

After 10 years of resilience, how do you reflect on this journey?

It has been ten years since exile separated us from our land and families—but never from our cause. Each day away from Burundi strengthens our commitment: we will never give up. Our engagement is a promise to victims, to those without a voice. We've achieved victories, including a UN committee's condemnation against Burundi. We will continue to denounce the crimes committed in Burundi across the world.

Me Jeanne d’Arc Zaninyana is a lawyer and Director of the Movement of Women and Girls for Peace and Security (MFFPS), a SOS-Torture network member founded in 2015 to promote the rule of law and assist victims of sexual violence. She is also part of the SOS-Torture litigator’s group in Africa. She fled Burundi in 2015 with her husband, also a lawyer, who was threatened after filing a legal challenge to Nkurunziza’s third term.

On May 10 and 13, 2015, Burundian women and girls played a key role in organising marches demanding constitutional respect, which were brutally repressed. Since then, how has the engagement of women's civil society organisations in Burundi evolved?

The commitment of Burundian women never faded. On the contrary, it transformed and strengthened through resilience. Some remained on the ground adopting more discreet forms of activism, while others continued the fight from exile. MFFPS has continued to denounce violence against women regionally and internationally through campaigns, provide psychosocial and legal support to refugee women, and preserve the memory of this women's resistance. As part of the SOS-Torture litigator’s group in Africa, I support many Burundian victims seeking justice and reparations internationally.

What impact has exile had on your life and work?

Exile is a rupture. It confronted me with loss of bearings, separation from loved ones, and a deep sense of uprooting. But it also gave me the freedom to continue my advocacy without fearing direct repression. It gave me access to solidarity networks and allowed me to amplify the voices of Burundian women in spaces where they were previously absent.

Ms. Marie-Louise Baricako is president of the INAMAHORO Movement, a women's association founded in exile in 2015 to influence national policy in favor of peace and women's rights and to amplify women's voices. Her long-standing advocacy for inclusive national dialogue and reunification of Burundi angered the country’s leaders, forcing her into exile in 2015.

How do you view the evolution of women’s rights in Burundi since 2015?
Women’s rights still don’t seem to be a priority for Burundian leadership. The adoption of Law No. 1/013 of September 22, 2016, on prevention, protection of victims, and prosecution of gender-based violence raised hopes. However, lack of political commitment, entrenched impunity since 2015, and the absence of rule of law and independent, inclusive justice have rendered the law ineffective. Meanwhile, cases of gender-based violence continue to rise.

What are your hopes for your country and the hundreds of civil society representatives, activists, and journalists still in exile?

Despite the many challenges faced by Burundi and its exiled population, we remain hopeful for positive change. Stronger international engagement—currently lacking in the face of this forgotten crisis—is essential. Civil society must strengthen its advocacy and resilience to urge the international community to pressure the Burundian government into reforms that ensure respect for human rights, reopening of civic space, and safe return for refugees. Impunity remains a major obstacle to reconciliation, risking continued cycles of violence and repression. Additionally, the country’s severe economic crisis may push international actors to demand human rights improvements in exchange for financial aid and investment.

Recognition of women’s roles and participation in decision-making bodies is also essential for lasting peace and sustainable development.

Mr. Anschaire Nikoyagize is President of the Burundian Human Rights League Iteka, the country’s first human rights organisation founded in 1991. In November 2015, he fled Burundi following threats from authorities after releasing a report on human rights violations during the crisis.

What impact does civil society in exile have on human rights in Burundi?
The documentation and advocacy work by civil society in exile has had a significant impact, notably contributing to the opening of an investigation at the International Criminal Court, the establishment of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Burundi, and the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Burundi. This work requires exceptional commitment from exiled defenders and constantly puts collaborators in the country at serious risk from Bujumbura authorities. Since the crisis began, Ligue Iteka has regularly published reports on the security and human rights situation in the country and raises awareness through radio broadcasts.

What are your priorities to restore peace and the rule of law in Burundi?
It is essential to invest in Burundi’s youth—the drivers of change. Ligue Iteka proposes creating a platform to unite and reconcile young people, foster the growth of civil society organisations and political parties, and educate youth on peacebuilding and human rights—values that are currently sorely lacking.

Ms. Anitha Gateretse is a legal expert and coordinator of ACAT Burundi, an organisation founded in 2003 to combat torture. She is also national coordinator of TLP Burundi. She fled in July 2017 to avoid the same fate as her colleague Mr. Germain Rukuki, who was illegally arrested and imprisoned for several years.

Since 2015, how has your organisation contributed, from exile, to improving the human rights situation in Burundi?

Since 2015, Burundi’s civic space has been tightly restricted, corruption is rampant across all sectors, and human rights violations are on the rise with complete impunity. ACAT Burundi has played a crucial role in collecting, documenting, and disseminating reports denouncing acts of torture, forced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, and arbitrary arrests by authorities.

What do you envision for the future of the hundreds of exiled civil society representatives, activists, and journalists?

Most civil society actors and journalists in exile are determined to continue the struggle despite the challenges posed by the current regional and global geopolitical context, which pays little attention to Burundi’s political crisis. We are developing resilience strategies to mobilise a new generation of civil society actors and journalists committed to the human rights cause.