Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Groups want Burundi to end ban on forum

|
|
 
  
Published: Nov. 25, 2009 at 1:46 PM

BUJUMBURA, Burundi, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- A trio of groups, including Human Rights Watch, said Wednesday Burundi should end a ban on the Forum for the Strengthening of Civil Society.

Human Rights Watch said in a news release it has joined with Amnesty International and the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project to urge the Burundi government to end an ordinance targeting the FORSC group representing 146 Burundian civil society associations.

"Burundi's ban on FORSC appears to have no real legal basis and is a frontal assault on freedom of association," HRW Africa director Georgette Gagnon said. "Along with the threats against two highly respected activists, this is a brazen attempt to silence Burundi's vibrant civil society."

Among the alleged acts of intimidation and harassment endured by FORSC members and other civil society groups was a threat from Interior Minister Nduwimana regarding such organizations' public efforts.

Hassan Shire, executive director of the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project, said the government should avoid the use of bans and instead work with civil society groups.

"Rather than abolish civil society groups, it should engage in a productive dialogue with them to improve conditions for all Burundians," Shire said.

Recommended Stories
© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
The Tibetan Moniam Festival in China Super Bowl XLVI ticker tape victory parade The making of the Oscars
The Chicago Auto Show The Most Desirable Women of 2012 Tu Bishvat Migron settlement
Additional World News Stories
1 of 21
President Obama Signs Smuggling Prevention Act at White House
View Caption
fark
It's starting to look as if the roles are now reversed - that Obama is Lucy with the football, and...
You're a female air traveler and there's no female TSA agent to screen you? No problem, there's...
Despite their efforts to convince you otherwise, many "foodies" can't, in a blind taste test, tell...
Photoshop this urban underground dweller
Kim Jong Un Dead. I repeat - Un Dead
Nothing is more romantic on Valentine's Day than taking your lover on a tour of New York's sewers...