The EBU has condemned the recent detention and beating of journalist Esdras Ndikumana whilst reporting in Burundi for Radio France International.

Mr Ndikumana was arrested on Sunday morning (Aug 2) by government security forces at the scene of the assassination of General Adolphe Nshimirimana in Bujumbura. He was detained for two hours, during which he was beaten by officers and later required hospital treatment. The attack left him with severe bruising.

The EBU community joins with its Member France Médias Monde, which runs Radio France International, to denounce this aggression towards Mr Ndikumana.

The EBU believes that the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and information are essential to the functioning of a democratic society and must be upheld through media freedom and therefore, together with its Member France Médias Monde, demands that the authorities guarantee the safety of its employees working in Burundi at the present time.