Ligue Iteka
The Ligue Iteka is a Burundian human rights organisation founded in February 1991 whose primary mission is “the promotion and the defence of human rights as well as preventing the violation of human rights”. Throughout recent periods of political crisis in Burundi, the Ligue Iteka has set itself apart through its consistent commitment to thoroughly monitoring and denouncing human rights violations. The Ligue Iteka has done this through the publication of periodic reports concerning the situation of human rights in Burundi for both national and international audiences.
The targeting of human rights defenders (HRDs) through the use of violence or the threat of violence has been a worrying trend, in addition to the use of repressive legislation as a means of curtailing their work. Defamation, terrorism and anti-corruption legislation have been used against members of civil society. HRDs denouncing acts of corruption and embezzlement involving public authorities, and those fighting impunity have been subjected to judicial harassment, death threats, defamation and intimidation. HRDs denouncing extrajudicial killings have been charged with support to armed bandits
