Burundi - November 2024

On 20 November, Burundi initiated the release of 4,000 prisoners, constituting roughly 40 per cent of the country’s prison population, as part of President Évariste Ndayishimiye’s clemency decree aimed at alleviating chronic overcrowding. Prison facilities, operating at over 300 per cent capacity, have long been criticized for harsh conditions, including severe overcrowding that compromises prisoner safety, sanitation, and access to basic necessities like food and healthcare. The clemency prioritized those convicted of minor offenses and nearing the end of their sentences. However, opposition groups criticized the measure for excluding political prisoners, who number between 4,000 and 5,000, many of whom are reportedly members of opposition political parties. Local monitors have welcomed the move as a necessary step but stressed the need for broader reforms to address systemic issues in the penal system.

Sources: SOS Media Burundi, Voice of America – Africa (1), Voice of America – Africa (2), Independent Online