Burundi: Withdrawal of approval of the Forum for Strengthening Civil Society (FORSC) by the authorities

On November 23 2009, the Forum for Strengthening Civil Society (FORSC) received notification of the cancellation of its authorisation by the Ministry of the Interior. FORSC is a platform of 146 organizations of civil society in Burundi. The cancellation of the authorisation follows an open letter sent at the end of last week from civil society organizations addressed to the President of the Republic of Burundi on the situation of human rights defenders in the country. FORSC was the first signatory of the open letter.

Further Information

It is believed that the cancellation of FORSC's authorisation by the Minister may be related to the fact that among the members of FORSC, there are organizations whose approval is within the jurisdiction of the Ministry, rather than other departments. This finding comes three years after FORSC first received its authorisation in May 2006. The decision to revoke FORSC's authorisation was taken just five days after the open letter was sent by eight organizations and coalitions of civil society on 18 November 2009.

The letter expressed the concern of the signatory organizations in relation to recent harassment, intimidation and killings targeted against human rights defenders, particularly in relation to recent threats of murder directed at the Delegate General of FORSC, Mr. Pacific Nininahazv'ie, and the President of the Association for the Protection of Human Rights and Prisoners (APRODH), Mr. Pierre Claver Mbommpa. The letter also denounced "certain high administrative authorities [who] are engaged through the media, in an unbearable demonization of those organizations of civil society and who knowingly falsely equated them, for some time, with political parties of the opposition."

Front Line believes that the cancellation of the authorisation of FORSC is motivated by its activities in the defence of human rights, including the reporting of harassment, intimidation and threats against human rights defenders. Front Line expresses its serious concern over the current situation in Burundi. The decision of the Ministry of Interior appears even more alarming considering the presidential elections scheduled for June 2010.

Front Line urges the authorities in Burundi to:

1. Repeal Ministerial Order No. 530/1490 of November 23, 2009 annulling the approval of the Forum for Strengthening Civil Society (FORSC);

2. Conduct a full, thorough and impartial investigation into all acts of harassment and intimidation, and the threats made against the human rights defenders mentioned in the open letter from civil society organizations to the President of the Republic on November 18, 2009;

3. Take all necessary measures to ensure that the sponsors and perpetrators of the assassination of former Vice-President of OLUCOME, Mr. Ernest Manirumva, are brought to justice in accordance with international standards;

4. Ensure in all circumstances that human rights defenders in Burundi can carry out their legitimate work in the defence of human rights without fear of restrictions or reprisals.