Burundi Frees Schoolgirls

The Government of Burundi has released three schoolgirls who were detained for scribbling on pictures of the President in their textbooks.

The girls, aged 15, 16 and 17, were detained awaiting trial facing a sentence of up to five years if found guilty of contempt of the head of state. A boy of 13 was also arrested but then released as he is below the age of criminal responsibility.

Following their detention a number of groups spoke out calling for their release, including Human Rights Watch who also criticised the government’s track record on human rights violations.   

Their release came with a warning that the age of criminal responsibility is 15 and that parents must ensure their children respect authorities.