Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign and European Spokesperson (Paris, March 12, 2009)

BURUNDI : RELEASE OF ALEXIS SINDUHIJE – COMMUNIQUE BY MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AND EUROPEAN AFFAIRS

Rama Yade, Secretary of State for Human Rights to the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, welcomes this morning’s release of Alexis Sinduhije.

Alexis Sinduhije, acquitted by Burundi’s High Court of the State Prosecutor in Bujumbura, had been imprisoned for several months in Bujumbura.

During an interview with the President of the Republic of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza, on the occasion of her recent visit to the country (25-27 February), Rama Yade had urged the Burundi authorities to take all measures to guarantee the freedom of thought, the freedom of speech, and the protection of journalists, and to specifically address the issue of Alexis Sinduhije.