Burundian Authorities Escalate Tensions

Washington

Following police in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, using tear gas and water cannons April 17 against peaceful protestors, Freedom House issued the following statement: 

“Using violence against peaceful protesters unnecessarily escalates an already volatile situation,” said Vukasin Petrovic, director of Africa programs. “These police actions have the potential to spark more serious violence in advance of the presidential vote scheduled  for early summer, which given Burundi’s history, should be a serious concern for the government. Burundian authorities should respect their citizens’ democratic right to freedom of assembly.” 

Burundi is rated Not Free in Freedom in the World 2015 and Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2014.