/ / BURUNDI: IMMEDIATELY RELEASE HUMANITARIAN WORKER

BURUNDI: IMMEDIATELY RELEASE HUMANITARIAN WORKER

UA: 97.26

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Benjamin Babunga, a Congolese humanitarian worker and critic of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government has been arbitrarily detained in Burundi since his arrest in Bujumbura on May 26, 2026. He was initially held by the National Intelligence Service without access to a lawyer before being transferred to Mpimba Prison after 11 days, amid allegations of espionage, terrorism, and threats to national security. Despite two court decisions granting him bail, he remains in arbitrary detention.

Amnesty International calls on the Burundian authorities to release Benjamin Babunga immediately. Pending his release, the authorities must ensure that he has access to his legal counsel and family, and is protected from any unlawful transfer to the DRC, where he would be at risk of prosecution solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: March 28, 2027

Here is how you can take action:

Send a letter to the Burundi authorities
Send an email to the Burundi authorities
Post on social media

Scroll down to Step 1 and Step 2 to access the full Urgent Action appeal and sample letter, and U.S.P.S. mailing address (if available).

Take action

Step 1

READ THE FULL URGENT ACTION

Enter your email address and zip code to get the sample letter to send to government officials.

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You can now write a letter in your own words or download the sample below as a guide.

Remember to send your letter by March 28, 2027.

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Sample Letter

Dear Minister,

I am concerned about the continued unlawful detention of Benjamin Babunga, a Congolese national and humanitarian worker, despite two court decisions ordering his provisional release. His continued detention violates his right to liberty, fair trial, and his right to an effective remedy.

On May 26, Benjamin Babunga was arrested in Bujumbura and detained by the National Intelligence Service before being transferred to Mpimba Prison after 11 days. He was accused of espionage, terrorism and threat to national security. He pursued the available legal remedies and on July 15, obtained a decision from the High Court of Mukaza granting him provisional release. After the Public Prosecutor Office’s appeal, the Mukaza Court of Appeal upheld the lower court’s decision to grant his release on August 10. Despite the two decisions issued in his favor and efforts undertaken by his lawyers for their enforcement, Benjamin Babunga remains in detention.

I urge you to ensure Benjamin Babunga’s immediate release. I further call on you to ensure that no administrative or judicial authority obstructs his release and that his physical integrity, safety, and rights are respected. In the meantime, Benjamin Babunga must be protected from any unlawful transfer to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he would be at risk of prosecution solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

Sample Social Post

Two courts have ordered the release of humanitarian worker Benjamin Babunga, yet he remains behind bars. I urge @MiniJusticeBdi to immediately enforce these rulings, uphold his rights, and protect him from unlawful transfer to DRC #UrgentActionNetworkAIUSA

Send a Tweet to @MiniJusticeBdi

Step 2

Send your message

Mail your letter to the government officials listed below. You can also email, fax, call, or post about them on social media.

Send your letter to:

Minister Alfred Ahingejeje

Minister of Justice

1880 – Bujumbura, Burundi

[email protected] @MiniJusticeBdi

and

CC: Burundi Embassy in the United States

Ambassador Jean Bosco Barege

Send a copy of your letter to the address below

2233 Wisconsin Ave NW #408

Washington, DC 20007

[email protected]

When writing your letter, don’t forget to be factual, brief, and show respect. See more letter writing tips and emails, or organize and host a letter writing party.

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