Burundian Organization Ntabariza SPF Advocates for the Release of Prisoners Recently Pardoned by President Evariste Ndayishimiye

 According to Ntabariza SPF, the process of releasing the prisoners is not progressing at the expected rate, and they are urging the relevant authorities to honor the President's directive without delay.

On November 14, 2024, President Ndayishimiye granted a pardon to 5,442 prisoners who had been convicted of minor offenses. The announcement was made during a visit to the Muramvya prison, where the President addressed the inmates and explained the reasoning behind the decision. During his address, he emphasized that the release of these prisoners would take place within two weeks, providing a clear deadline for the authorities to carry out the pardon.

Ndayishimiye's decision was part of a broader effort to address the problem of overcrowding in Burundi’s prisons, which has been a significant issue for years. In addition, the President noted that the mass release would reduce the financial burden on the state, which is responsible for covering the costs of prisoners' food, medical care, and other necessities.

"I know that only these people have been released, the money that is paid on their behalf... There is no prisoner who will now say 'students are lacking seats' or 'they have no books.' Please understand how we are losing money," said President Ndayishimiye, addressing the issue of state funds being diverted to support an overcrowded prison system. He made it clear that the government had been spending substantial amounts of money to house and care for prisoners, which he considered an unnecessary drain on national resources.

Despite the President’s clear instructions, however, Ntabariza SPF has expressed concerns over the slow implementation of the release process. Jean Marie Nshimirimana, the president of Ntabariza SPF, spoke to the Iwacu newspaper on November 26, 2024, highlighting the ongoing delays. According to Nshimirimana, only a fraction of the prisoners who were supposed to be released under the Presidential pardon have actually been set free.

With the two-week deadline quickly approaching, Ntabariza SPF has urged the government to speed up the release process to ensure that the promise made by the President is fulfilled.

Nshimirimana explained that his organization had received reports from various prisons across the country, showing a slow pace in the release of the pardoned prisoners. "We are saying this because we have observed that the process of releasing those pardoned by the Head of State is moving slowly. It is important for the government to act quickly to ensure that the promise of releasing these prisoners is not delayed."

He went on to provide specific examples from prisons around the country. For instance, in the Ngozi prison, which houses a large number of prisoners affected by the pardon, only 287 out of the 400 prisoners who were eligible for release have been freed so far. Similarly, in the Muyinga prison, out of 340 prisoners slated for release, only 123 have been granted their freedom, with just two days left until the deadline for the full implementation of the pardon. These figures illustrate the challenges in meeting the two-week deadline set by President Ndayishimiye.

The delays in the release of prisoners have raised significant concerns, especially considering that these individuals were granted clemency by the President himself. The Ntabariza SPF has questioned the reasons behind the slow progress, pointing to potential administrative inefficiencies and logistical challenges within the prison system. It is unclear why the release process is moving at such a slow pace, despite the clear instructions from the President. Nshimirimana emphasized that the government must do everything in its power to speed up the process to prevent further frustrations for the pardoned prisoners and their families.

Another issue that has emerged in relation to the presidential pardon is the fact that some of the prisoners on the list of 5,442 pardoned individuals had already been released before the official announcement was made.

According to Nshimirimana, this creates a discrepancy in the numbers and raises questions about the integrity of the release process. Some prisoners may have already completed their sentences or been granted early release for other reasons, which means that the actual number of individuals who have benefited from the pardon might be lower than initially reported.

Despite these challenges, Ntabariza SPF has reiterated the importance of the government fulfilling its promises. The organization has stressed that the release of the pardoned prisoners should not be delayed any further, as these individuals have already been granted a second chance by the President. Nshimirimana has called on both the authorities and the public to respect the President's decision and ensure that the release is completed within the set timeframe.

The issue of overcrowding in Burundi's prisons has been a long-standing concern. According to reports from human rights organizations, Burundi’s prison system has been operating well beyond its capacity, with thousands of prisoners living in cramped and unsanitary conditions. The pardon granted by President Ndayishimiye was a step toward addressing this issue, but the slow pace of implementation is raising questions about the government's ability to carry out the necessary reforms. Ntabariza SPF’s advocacy highlights the importance of ensuring that the prison system is not only more humane but also more efficient, with proper attention given to the welfare of both prisoners and the state.

In addition to the practical concerns about the slow pace of the release process, Ntabariza SPF has also expressed broader concerns about the overall state of prisoners' rights in Burundi. The organization has been vocal about the need for reforms in the prison system to improve living conditions, address overcrowding, and ensure that prisoners are treated fairly and humanely. Nshimirimana emphasized that while the mass pardon is a positive step, it is only one part of the larger issue of prison reform in the country.

In conclusion, while the mass release of prisoners by President Evariste Ndayishimiye is a positive development for Burundi, the slow implementation of the pardon has raised significant concerns. Ntabariza SPF is calling for a swift and thorough execution of the release process to ensure that the President's promise is kept and that the prisoners who were pardoned are given their freedom without further delays.

 The organization has also called for continued efforts to address the broader issues facing the prison system in Burundi, advocating for reforms that will improve conditions for prisoners and protect their rights in the future.