II ~I ~ ~II~ ~~ ~II ~ ~II - IFES

VI. CIVIL AND POLITICAL INSTITUTIONSThe PressA Presidential Decree dated February 4, 1992 states in Chapter II, Article 2: "La presse estlibre. Cette libene de presse n 'est soumise qu 'awe restrictions admises par la loi." ("ThePress is free. This freedom of the press is subject to restrictions permitted by the law. ") TheDecree then proceeds to apply an additional 38 articles and rules that restrict the freedom ofthe press. (See Appendix J.)The Charter of National Unity also gives potential grounds for restrictions on press freedomin that it condemns any divisionist activities or rhetoric. 'It will no doubt be tempting to theruling parties to brand the writings of the political opposition groupsas divisionist and thereforebeyond the bounds of permissible expression.In addition to these formal restrictions on political expression, there are many informalimpediments to people who wish to start a newspaper or to obtain access to the governmentpress, radio or TV. Independent printing facilities are v~ry limited in Burundi and costs arehigh. The government could show its commitment to the institution of the free press byfinancially facilitating printing enterprises. The international community should also assist isfi\1ing the need for facilities, finance and expertise by providing support for the establishmentof a free press and commercial printing enterprises.During the IFES team's stay in Burundi, little evidence was seen of free expression by thepopulation in newspaper, print material, radio or television. The team was repeatedly told thatcommuniques, reports on meetings and articles submitted to the newspapers by interest groupsor political groups were simply omitted from the printed or other media. Human rightsorganizations confirmed. that censorship of the media exists, and that it is impossible to reportany matter that would pose any cha\1enging views of the Government or its institutions.ChurchesThe churches, especially the Roman Catholic Church, are powerful in Burundi. About twothirdsof the population are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Another ten percent are28