The verdict on May 22, 2012, in the trial of those accused of killing Ernest Manirumva, a Burundian anti-corruption activist, has been a missed opportunity to deliver justice, 20 Burundian and international nongovernmental organizations said today in a joint statement. The outcome was a grave disappointment to those who have campaigned for his killers to be held to account, as potentially important evidence in the case was not pursued.

Scores of people have been killed in political attacks in Burundi since the end of 2010. The killings, some by state agents and members of the ruling party, others by armed opposition groups, reflect widespread impunity, the inability of the state to protect its citizens, and an ineffective judiciary.

The Burundian government should strengthen its support for the recently established National Independent Human Rights Commission. 

The Burundi authorities’ arrests of lawyers and intimidation of journalists are cause for concern. Although the release of two of three lawyers arrested since mid-July, 2011, was a positive step, the government should immediately end the harassment of both lawyers and journalists. Charges against one of the released lawyers remain pending, and a third lawyer also arrested in late July remains in detention on charges that appear to violate international law.