By Our Correspondent in Bujumbura
In response to news reports
that Burundian journalist
Floriane Irangabiye is suffering
respiratory distress and her health
has deteriorated behind bars, the
Committee to Protect Journalists
issued the following statement:
“Imprisoned Burundian journalist
Floriane Irangabiye’s worsening
health is alarming, and authorities
have demonstrated negligence in
their failure to ensure that she receives
adequate medical care,” said CPJ’s
sub-Saharan Africa representative,
Muthoki Mumo.
“Authorities are
responsible for her well-being and
should ensure that she receives
appropriate treatment. Even more
importantly, Irangabiye does not
belong behind bars and should be
released unconditionally.”
On the night of Monday, July
24, Irangabiye suffered severe
breathing difficulties and chest pains,
symptoms that persisted as of late
Tuesday and made it difficult for her
to speak, according to news reports
and a person familiar with her case
who spoke to CPJ on the condition of
anonymity, citing fear of retaliation.
Irangabiye, who has been detained
since August 2022, has suffered
from asthma since childhood, but
her condition has worsened over the
last three months, that person said,
adding that, despite seeing a doctor
at least four times during that period
and being prescribed the use of
inhalers, Irangabiye remains ill.
The person familiar with her case
said Irangabiye is exposed to smoke
from a nearby prison kitchen and that the humid weather had possibly contributed to her health issues. Two
months ago, Irangabiye’s family
formally requested that authorities
transfer her from the northern
Muyinga Prison to a prison in the
capital city of Bujumbura due to those
health concerns.
Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye gagging media
Irangabiye is serving a 10-year
prison term following her January
2023 conviction of undermining
the integrity of Burundi’s national
integrity, charges that stem from her
work with the online news outlet
Radio Igicaniro■
