There is huge global support for schoolgirls jailed in Burundi for scribbling over the picture of the country’s President.
Seven schoolchildren were arrested two weeks ago for an act the country’s authorities considered insulting to the President.
The schoolchildren were arrested in Kirundo province, in Burundi’s northeast.
They had scribbled over images of President Pierre Nkurunziza printed in their school text books.
Four of them, including a 13-year-old, were freed immediately but the other three schoolgirls all under 18 years are awaiting trial.
They were charged last week with insulting the head of state and have been detained in prison.
Spokeswoman for the Burundi’s Supreme Court, Agnès Bangiricenge had said that a regional court in Kirundo ordered their detention ahead of a full trial.
They could be jailed for up to five years if successfully convicted.
Just a child’s act?
A child’s rights activist, David Ninganza told Reuters that “It is true that scribbling (on the president’s picture) is a punishable offence under the Burundian law.
But since it was committed by teenagers, I believe this is a mitigating circumstance.”
He adds that “Those school children are not engaged in any political fights and need no political posts. That’s why judges have to consider all those issues in their investigations.”
This would not be the first time school children serve a jail term for defacing the picture of the President.
11 children were jailed for defacing a photograph of Nkurunziza in a school text book in 2016.
Global support for the girls
There is now a global support across various social media platforms asking for the government of Burundi to release the detained girls.
There is a hashtag of #FreeOurGirls trending on social media platforms in solidarity with the schoolgirls.
Cet emprisonnement est un scandale. Une honte. Réclamons tous leur libération immédiate. #FreeOurGirls pic.twitter.com/1qWeoLryzV
— Natacha Songore (@SongoreNatacha) March 25, 2019
This is what happens when we’ve dictators, and heartless juntas take charge of our continent. The girls were either just having fun, or simply saying out what they feel about the dictator. #FreeOurGirls ?
— Wesley K Spartan (@SpartanWK) March 25, 2019
It’s week 2 of our girls arbitrary arrest and not a single statement from any state/political leader on this unacceptable matter. Pls correct me if i missed one.
Let’s call on leaders in Africa & the rest of the world to take a clear stand and urge @pnkurunziza to #FreeOurGirls
— Ketty Nivyabandi (@kettynivyabandi) March 25, 2019
Monday morning and three teenage girls are still in detenion. Let’s keep demanding #FreeOurGirls https://t.co/FZjCz8a4lh
— MissyMunezer (@MissyMunez) March 25, 2019
Good morning world✋✋
Please join our campaign to #FreeOurGirls
One more day under this illegal detention is unacceptable https://t.co/kADalwDR5J— MissyMunezer (@MissyMunez) March 25, 2019
The government of Burundi has arrested young girls who should be in school for scratching on the picture of the President. #FreeOurGirls
— Judicaelle Irakoze (@Judicaelle_) March 25, 2019
Scribbling IS NOT a crime. Please join us in this campaign to #FreeOurGirls ?? https://t.co/nVcsIWYT5U
— MissyMunezer (@MissyMunez) March 25, 2019
#Burundi—What does @BurundiGov gain by inflicting injustice on the most vulnerable & harmless? Schoolgirls? #FreeOurGirls
Mr. @pnkurunziza, you and your cohorts should be ashamed of yourselves. pic.twitter.com/1VpVfIvH1Y— iBurundi (@iburundi) March 22, 2019
Source: Africafeeds.com
