Feb 18th, 2018(Nyamilepedia) —– A group of human rights organizations across Eastern and Central Africa are calling on the Burundian government to release a Ireland based human rights defender, Aloys Habimana, who was kidnapped at Burundi-DRC border yesterday.
According to human rights defenders, who spoke to Nyamilepedia, Habimana was arrested yesterday, February 17th, by Burundian security forces and headed to Bujumbura where he currently face charges.
“Habimana was arrested on Saturday afternoon, 17 February 2018 at borders of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.” Reads part of the civil society’s press release extended to Nyamilepedia.
“We, the undersigned human rights organisations have been appalled by the detention of Aloys Habimana. Habimana is a Front Line Defenders’ Protection Coordinator for East and Southern Africa, a human rights Movement based in Ireland.” They continued.
Habimana and his colleague are believed to be in detention of the National Intelligence and Security Service in Burundi’s Capital—Bujumbura.
The human rights organizations call on the Burundian President, Pierre Nkurunziza, to ensure the safety of Habimana, set him free and hold responsible those security officials abusing human rights of Habimana.
The group also urges all diplomatic missions in Burundi and all human rights Movements in East and Central African region and beyond to stand up in solidarity and speak out to ensure the release of Habimana.
The human rights and civil society organizations that call for Abimana release include:
- The Pan Africa Human Rights Advocates’ Coalition(PAHRA Coalition).
- The South Sudan Human Rights Society for Advocacy(SSHURSA).
- Our Lives Matter Action-International(OLiMA-International).
- Parents-Elders Action for Children’s Education(Peace-Africa).
- International Children’s Foundation(ICF).
- Global Youth for Security and Peace Advocacy(GYoSPA).
- African Centre for Justice, Peace and Reconciliation(ACJPR).
- Africa Women’s Rights Empowerment Institute(AWoRE Institute).
“The arrest of Habimana is a deliberate attack on all human rights defenders in the region. The Burundi government should set him free immediately.” They say.
For more information on this press release, contact the Coalition’s Spokesperson and SSHURSA Executive Director Biel Boutros Biel through his email at bielbb2015@gmail.com
