Lawyers Want Burundi Suspended

The Pan African Lawyers’ Union has written to the East African Community Secretariat calling for the suspension of Burundi from the bloc.

The call follows the deteriorating situation in Burundi resulting from weeks of protests over president Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term in which scores have been killed and thousands more displaced.

The PALU Chief Executive Officer Don Deya told KFM on Wednesday that the union has written an advisory memo to the EAC Secretary General demanding that Burundi be penalized for violating the rights of it’s citizens.

He said that in addition, Burundi had grossly infringed on the freedom of expression by shutting down some private radio stations and burning another, a claim the government has often denied.

Mr. Deya also faulted the Law Society of East Africa for not doing enough to condemn what he describes as unfortunate developments.

Elections in Burundi are due in June but several regional leaders including the EAC Council of ministers chaired by Tanzania’s Foreign Affairs Mr. Bernard Membe have called for postponement of the polls at least until July but not later than August.

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