A disturbing case once again casts a dark shadow over the practices of Burundian security services. HAVYARIMANA Juliette, a 38-year-old Burundian citizen, was arrested without a warrant or any clear justification and has been missing for over six days.
Originally from Nyakibingo hill, Kabuye zone, Tangara commune, in the former province of Ngozi (now Butanyerera), Juliette had been living in Rwanda since 2007. In 2013, she started a family with a Rwandan citizen, and together they have four children.
🔶️ An Arbitrary and Troubling Arrest
On December 15, 2025, Juliette returned to Burundi to attend a family ceremony. Entering through Kabarore commune, she was intercepted shortly afterward. Reliable sources report that the driver of the vehicle she was in allegedly denounced her. She was then handed over to the provincial police commissioner, Colonel Pascal NSHIMIRIMANA, who reportedly accused her verbally of threatening national security.
Since her arrest, there has been no trace of her. No warrant, no legal document, no official information. At the time of her arrest, she only had her personal belongings with her.
🔶️ A Climate of Widespread Suspicion
It is important to note that, in the current climate of rising diplomatic tensions between Burundi and Rwanda, any Burundian citizen returning from Rwanda is often viewed by the Burundian government as a potential spy. This heavy presumption, lacking any legal basis, fuels arbitrary arrests and human rights violations.
🔶️ A Disappearance with the Stench of Repression
The silence of the authorities and the lack of transparency around the case raise serious concerns of enforced disappearance — a practice increasingly common in a security environment dominated by fear and impunity.
We demand that HAVYARIMANA Juliette be located immediately, presented publicly, and that her rights be fully respected.
We also call on the National Independent Human Rights Commission (CNIDH) to launch an urgent investigation. It is their responsibility to act in defense of human rights in Burundi.