Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) issued the following statement on Burundi's suspension of the operations of Voice of America within the country:

“Voice of America’s suspension in Burundi is an outrage and must be reversed.

“VOA is an independent media and provides an opportunity for both government leaders and citizens to express themselves in a fair manner.  VOA’s Kirundi-language call-in radio shows give voice to the people, and report on a wide variety of matters including on critical health issues.

“Too often, media censorship precedes atrocities and human rights violations by repressive governments. The government of Burundi must affirm its commitment to universally-recognized human rights and let a free press operate without censorship.”