The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has been urged to focus on pressing human rights issues in Burkina Faso during its review scheduled for October 23, 2024. Human Rights Watch emphasizes the need for the Burkinabè government to take immediate measures to protect civilians impacted by armed conflict, ensure a secure environment for activists, journalists, and political opposition, and hold accountable those responsible for serious human rights violations.
As part of the African Union’s State Reporting mechanism, member states are required to submit regular updates detailing their efforts to uphold the rights outlined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. However, Burkina Faso’s latest report, dated May 2023 and covering the period from 2015 to 2021, fails to address critical issues, including widespread abuses linked to state forces, restrictions on fundamental rights, and a culture of impunity.
Allan Ngari, Africa advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, highlighted the significance of the commission’s review as an opportunity to engage with Burkinabè authorities about their human rights practices. He urged the commission to prioritize the protection of civilians during military operations and to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law.
Burkina Faso has faced ongoing armed conflict since 2016, leading to significant instability in the region. Since 2022, the country has experienced changes in leadership marked by military influence.
According to the government’s report, measures have been implemented to combat violent extremism and terrorism, including the establishment of a special unit to investigate and prosecute terrorism-related offenses. The report also states that security forces receive training in international human rights and humanitarian law, with mechanisms in place to hold accountable those responsible for inhumane acts.
However, Human Rights Watch has documented serious violations by Burkinabè security forces during counterinsurgency operations, including unlawful killings and enforced disappearances of civilians accused of collaborating with armed groups. Additionally, armed groups have perpetrated serious abuses against civilians, including summary executions, sexual violence, and looting, further threatening the safety of many towns and villages.
In response to past incidents, the African Rights Commission expressed concerns following the killing of civilians in Karma village by alleged security forces in April 2023. The commission urged investigations and protections for affected civilians. Similarly, in November 2023, following an attack on civilians in Zaongo village, the commission’s working group on extrajudicial killings issued an urgent appeal for an investigation.
Under international law, the Burkinabè government bears primary responsibility for ensuring justice for serious crimes. However, limited progress has been made in investigating or prosecuting those accountable for grave offenses committed since 2016, with no information provided in the report about investigations into alleged abuses by government security forces.
While the report highlights efforts to uphold civil and political rights, including a 2017 law aimed at protecting human rights defenders, civil and political rights have been restricted during and after the reporting period. Activists, opposition members, journalists, and critics have faced a systematic crackdown since 2022.
In December 2023, the African Rights Commission raised concerns about the abduction of human rights defender Daouda Diallo and reported acts of intimidation against rights defenders. In July, the commission condemned the enforced disappearance of three Burkinabè journalists, calling on authorities to provide information about their status.
The African Rights Commission has not conducted a visit to Burkina Faso in several years and is encouraged to seek permission for an official visit to assess the human rights situation and produce a comprehensive report. Ngari emphasized the need for the commission to thoroughly address the serious abuses committed by security forces and armed groups while recommending concrete actions to protect activists, journalists, and political opponents.
