Armel Niyongere: “In his fight for justice, truth and human dignity”

17 October 2025.
Impact Stories
Burundi

Exiled Burundian human rights defender (HRD), Armel Niyongere is not new to the human rights movement, having begun this journey in the early 2000s. A lawyer by profession, he is currently the president of the Action of Christians for the Abolition of Torture in Burundi (ACAT-Burundi), which is affiliated to the International Federation of ACATs (FIACAT). He is also the Secretary General of SOS-Torture Burundi, an organisation established in response to the 2015 political crisis in Burundi, which is part of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT).

“My engagement in human rights defense began in the early 2000s, when I was confronted with the reality of torture, political repression and impunity in my country. It is what prompted me to get involved in this fight for justice, truth and human dignity.”

It has not been an easy road. The increasing repression of HRDs, working in a closed civic space within minimal financial resources, the work has been challenging, but Armel continues to raise the voice of the voiceless, strengthening the capacity of young HRDs and collaborating with regional and international partners.

“Despite everything, we continue to document abuses and collect victims’ testimonies, and engage with international human rights mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court and the United Nations bodies. DefendDefenders has played a key role in facilitating organisations like ours to participate in the work of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR). Thanks to their technical, strategic and logistical support, we have been able to submit alternative reports and declarations during NGO forum meetings, providing for the adoption of important resolutions. During the international session, we were able to report on the violations committed in Burundi and defend the rights of the victims.”

Armel holds an even stronger memory where, at the height of the brutal 2015 political crisis in Burundi, when HRDs were being tracked, arrested or even killed, DefendDefenders came to the rescue.

“Their rapid and effective response enabled several members of the civil society, including myself, to escape and find refuge outside Burundi, where we have continued our engagement from a distance. Their support not only saved lives but also allowed the continuity of our work. We have also been able to train exiled HRDs, strengthening the capacity of our exiled structures and create stronger regional coalitions. Thanks to DefendDefenders, our work has gained visibility, credibility and strategic impact, both on the African continent and with international bodies.”

“In the future, I would like to see DefendDefenders strengthen their role as a regional leadership in the protection of HRDs. I hope that they will continue to extend their presence in countries at risk to develop rapid assistance mechanisms and to promote better coordination between regional actors. I would also like DefendDefenders to play a role in the reintegration of exiled defenders and to support transnational justice initiatives in post-conflict countries such as Burundi.”

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