Burundi’s shrinking political space Government undermines the opposition at every turn Tension is mounting in Burundi ahead of presidential, legislative and municipal elections scheduled for 2015. The opposition, the press and other government critics are finding their political space increasingly narrowed by new laws that forbid public gatherings and restrict the media. In June a restrictive press law was passed. A draft law imposing tight controls on non-profit organisations poses a further threat to free expression. The ruling party’s youth wing are intimidating, harassing, raping and killing members of the political opposition with impunity, according to international human rights groups.…
