PEN Canada for Freedom of Expression

Writers in Exile

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Burundi

Audace Manirakiza
Audace Manirakiza began his career as a journalist in 1995. He worked as a reporter and anchor for Radio Télévision Nationale du Burundi (RTNB). He also worked as a correspondent for the Paris-based Agence Internationale d’Images et de Télévision (AITV). Having produced several documentaries on political, social and economic issues, Manirakiza was known for his coverage of human rights issues. While a reporter for RTNB, he covered several summits of African heads of state. In Canada since 1999, he is a member of several human rights organizations, including Amnesty International. He also serves on the board of the World Communities Development Alliance, which works on resettlement of newcomers to Canada. Along with colleagues around the world, he founded the Agence CRC (Communications and Conflict Resolution Agency).

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I owe PEN Canada for whatever it is we call a home…. I was deeply traumatized when I crossed mountains to flee my invaded home. When I got here, the immigration office labelled me as ‘general labour’. I am nothing less than ‘highly-skilled labour’ - in the field of poetry.” Poet and PEN Canada writer in exile Saghi Ghahraman