In the spring of last year, 3000 advisement of rights posters hit the floor.  Printed the year before, the posters sought to highlight the rights of accused persons should they find themselves in police custody.  They were highly-engaging, and – positioned with police stations, governement buildings, etc. – they were a pragmatic mechanism for curbing torture and other instances of legal abuse. And yet, with funds lagging, IBJ lacked the resources to distribute them.

Fast forward one year.  A grant from the European Union.  A highly-qualified, ambitious team in Bujumbura.  A council of advisors keen to create opportunities and open doors.  The posters have made their way to the walls of police station, prisons and courts around the country.

Above: The head of the Central Market Police Station and IBJ Program Director Sanjeewa Liyanage in a holding cell, with the advisement of rights posters on display.  (Photo by Astere Muyango.)

Above: The IBJ team with Andre Mbayabaya, the director of the Gitega Prison (third from the left).  He requested enough copies of the advisement of rights poster so he could display them throughout the prison.  (Photo by Nathalie Mohadjer.)

Above: Recent recepients of IBJ Advisements of Rights Poster in the Ngozi province.  (Photo by Nathalie Mohadjer.)