15 May 2025
The Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture in Burundi (ACAT-Burundi) expresses its profound concern over the alarming situation of inmates suffering from mental health disorders within Burundi’s prison system.
The situation is particularly dire at Mpimba Central Prison, where more than fifty (50) individuals living with mental illness have been identified. A particularly emblematic case is that of Mr. Christian Butoyi, incarcerated since 8 September 2014, whose severe mental condition has long been recognized but remains untreated. This case exemplifies the ongoing neglect and bad faith of judicial and penitentiary authorities in addressing the needs of mentally ill detainees.
Burundian law provides a strong legal framework for the protection of mental health in detention settings, rooted in the Constitution, the Penitentiary Law, the Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the national mental health legislation—all of which are aligned with international human rights standards.
Despite a few isolated instances of medical intervention, comprehensive care remains severely lacking. The needs of these vulnerable individuals must be addressed holistically—medically, judicially, and socially. In practice, numerous barriers to justice persist: delayed proceedings, repeated adjournments, and the unjustified rejection of medical certificates all amount to systemic discrimination and a denial of fair trial rights.
Please download the full statement below:
Urgent_Statement on the Situation of Inmates with Mental Health Disorders in Burundi’s Prisons
