Prior to April's elections, the government banned all demonstrations and arbitrarily arrested and prosecuted peaceful protesters and opposition leaders, according to Human Rights Watch.
Kahor doorashadii madaxtinimada ee 2011, Human Rights Watch ayaa oggaatay in dowladda Jabuuti ay mamnuucday dhammaan dibedbaxyada ayna xarig iyo maxkamadeyn kula kacday dadka sida nabdoon u mudaharaadayay iyo hogaamiyayaasha mucaaradka.