Statement by Ligue Iteka
On the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, Ligue Iteka warns of the continued use of torture and the worsening detention conditions in Burundi.
In its statement issued on 26 June 2026, the organization denounces the ongoing practice of physical and psychological torture in police detention facilities, the National Intelligence Service (SNR) detention centers, and prisons. It notes that, over the past year, the prison population has increased from 11,368 to 12,980 inmates, raising the prison overcrowding rate from 264.7% to 302.5%.
According to Ligue Iteka, this severe overcrowding has led to inhumane detention conditions characterized by extreme congestion, inadequate food, limited access to healthcare, and the continued detention of individuals who have already completed their sentences or benefited from a presidential pardon.
Ligue Iteka calls on the Burundian authorities to take urgent measures to combat torture, reduce prison overcrowding, and ensure respect for the fundamental rights of persons deprived of their liberty. It also urges African and United Nations human rights mechanisms, as well as Burundi’s international partners, to strengthen their vigilance and support for the protection of human rights.