The constitution defines the state as secular, prohibits religious discrimination, and provides for freedom of conscience and religion. It prohibits political parties from preaching religious violence or hate. During the year, government officials and Catholic Church representatives exchanged words publicly that implicitly or explicitly criticized the other. In March the media reported the National Assembly President accused the Catholic Church of playing a “purely political, not spiritual role” and said the government would not talk to “sponsors of terrorism.” Several months later the National Assembly president publicly sought a rapprochement with the Church. In June the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Burundi issued a message that suggested ways to resolve the political crisis that followed the president’s controversial bid for a third term in 2015; in response, the ruling party issued a strong counterstatement. All of the followers of a woman who reported experiencing visitations from the Virgin Mary were released from custody by the end of the year. Three local priests who fled the country in April 2015 following anonymous death threats accusing them of supporting an insurgency against the government had not returned at year’s end.
There were no reports of significant societal actions affecting religious freedom.
The U.S. embassy continued to engage with actors representing various religions and encourage broad based religious tolerance.