urgent call to protect civilians as human rights crisis deepens in Burkina Faso
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) must prioritize pressing human rights concerns during Burkina Faso’s upcoming review, scheduled for October 23, 2024, according to advocacy groups. The Burkinabè government faces mounting pressure to safeguard civilians caught in the armed conflict, uphold civic freedoms for activists and journalists, and ensure accountability for severe violations.
Under the African Union’s State reporting procedure, member states are required to submit periodic reports detailing legislative and administrative measures to enforce the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. However, Burkina Faso’s latest report—submitted in May 2023 and covering 2015–2021—fails to adequately address critical issues such as:
- Widespread abuses by state security forces and Islamist armed groups amid the ongoing conflict;
- Severe restrictions on fundamental rights and freedoms under emergency laws;
- The pervasive culture of impunity for grave crimes.
military operations and civilian protection: a critical gap
« The ACHPR’s review presents a pivotal opportunity to engage Burkina Faso’s authorities on their human rights record, » said Allan Ngari, Africa Advocacy Director at Human Rights Watch. « The Commission must insist that the government prioritize civilian protection during military operations and strictly adhere to international humanitarian law. »
Since 2016, Burkina Faso has faced a brutal insurgency led by the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), affiliated with Al-Qaeda, and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), both originating from neighboring Mali. The crisis has escalated following two military coups in 2022, plunging the nation deeper into instability.
The Burkinabè government’s report highlights steps taken to combat « violent extremism » and terrorism, including the establishment of a specialized counterterrorism unit and the deployment of military provosts to monitor discipline and detainee rights. It also claims that security forces receive human rights training and that perpetrators of « inhumane or degrading acts » are held accountable. Yet, documented evidence contradicts these assertions.
documented atrocities and systemic failures in accountability
Human Rights Watch has recorded numerous war crimes by state security forces, including illegal killings, forced disappearances, and crimes against humanity. Islamist armed groups, meanwhile, have carried out summary executions, sexual violence, kidnappings, and looting, besieging communities across the country.
Despite international calls for justice, Burkina Faso has made minimal progress in investigating or prosecuting those responsible for atrocities committed since 2016. The government’s report omits any mention of alleged abuses by security forces during the covered period, nor does it reference legal proceedings against perpetrators.
shrinking civic space and repression of dissent
While the report references measures to protect civil and political rights—such as a 2017 law safeguarding human rights defenders—the reality starkly contrasts these claims. Since seizing power in 2022, the military junta has systematically targeted critics, including activists, opposition figures, journalists, and judges.
Human Rights Watch has documented cases of illegal conscription to silence dissent, as well as abductions and enforced disappearances of government critics. In December 2023, the ACHPR expressed concern over the abduction of prominent rights defender Daouda Diallo, citing judicial harassment and reprisals against activists. In July 2024, the Commission condemned the presumed forced disappearance of three journalists, demanding their immediate release and location disclosure—requests met with silence from authorities.
achpr urged to take decisive action
The ACHPR has not conducted an official visit to Burkina Faso in years. Advocacy groups urge the Commission to request permission for such a mission to assess the human rights landscape firsthand and publish a comprehensive report.
« The ACHPR must confront the full spectrum of abuses—both by state forces and Islamist armed groups—and demand accountability, » Ngari emphasized. « It should also recommend concrete measures to safeguard the work of activists, journalists, and political opponents, ensuring they can operate without fear of repression. »