The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) should prioritize the most pressing issues confronting Burkina Faso during its country review on October 23, 2024, Human Rights Watch stated. The Burkinabè government must urgently safeguard civilians impacted by armed conflict, protect civic space for activists, journalists, and political opposition, and ensure perpetrators of severe abuses are held accountable.
The State Reporting Procedure, an African Union mechanism designed to assess member states’ compliance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, mandates countries to submit regular reports detailing legislative and other measures taken to uphold Charter-enshrined rights. Burkina Faso’s May 2023 report, covering 2015-2021, largely overlooks several current human rights challenges. These include widespread abuses by state security forces and Islamist armed groups within the ongoing conflict, restrictions on fundamental rights and freedoms, and pervasive impunity.
“The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ review of Burkina Faso presents a crucial opportunity to engage with Burkinabè authorities on their human rights practices,” commented Allan Ngari, Africa Advocacy Director at Human Rights Watch. “The ACHPR should press Burkinabè authorities to prioritize civilian protection during military operations and guarantee adherence to international humanitarian law.”
Burkina Faso has been battling an insurgency led by the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) and Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) since these armed factions crossed into the country from Mali in 2016. Since 2022, Burkina Faso has also experienced two military coups.
The report from Burkina Faso outlines measures undertaken to combat “violent extremism” and terrorism, such as establishing a hub for investigating and prosecuting terrorism offenses, and deploying provosts responsible for military discipline and protecting detainees’ rights. The report also indicates that security forces receive training in human rights and international humanitarian law to prevent abuses, and that those responsible for “inhumane or degrading acts” are held accountable.
However, Human Rights Watch has documented serious abuses by Burkinabè security forces during counter-insurgency operations throughout the report’s covered period and subsequently, including crimes against humanity. Soldiers have unlawfully killed and forcibly disappeared hundreds of civilians accused of collaborating with Islamist armed groups.
Islamist armed groups have perpetrated grave abuses against civilians, encompassing summary executions, sexual violence, abductions, and looting. They continue to lay siege to numerous towns and villages across the nation.
In April 2023, the ACHPR issued a communiqué following the alleged massacre of dozens of civilians by security forces in Karma village, Yatenga province, urging authorities to launch investigations and “ensure civilian protection.” In November 2023, the ACHPR’s Working Group on the Death Penalty, Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions and Enforced Disappearances in Africa signed an urgent appeal letter after an attack on civilians in Zaongo village, Namentenga province, also demanding an investigation.
Under international law, the primary responsibility for ensuring justice for the most serious crimes lies with the Burkinabè government. Yet, it has shown minimal progress in investigating, let alone prosecuting, those responsible for the numerous severe crimes committed within the armed conflict since 2016. Burkina Faso’s report offers no information on investigations into alleged abuses by government security forces during the covered period, nor on potential judicial proceedings.
The report also mentions steps taken to uphold civil and political rights, including a June 2017 law aimed at protecting human rights defenders. Nevertheless, Burkinabè authorities have restricted civil and political rights during the report’s period and since, Human Rights Watch highlighted.
Since seizing power in 2022, the junta has systematically suppressed activists, opposition party members, journalists, and critics. Human Rights Watch has extensively documented the use of illegal conscription to silence dissidents, alongside the abductions and forced disappearances of dozens of government critics and opponents.
In December 2023, the ACHPR expressed concern over the abduction of prominent human rights defender Daouda Diallo and about “acts of intimidation, judicial harassment, and reprisals” against all defenders. In July, it condemned the alleged forced disappearance of three Burkinabè journalists, calling on authorities to provide information on their whereabouts and release them. Despite requests from their families and lawyers, authorities have provided no information on the journalists’ location.
The ACHPR has not visited Burkina Faso for several years. It should consider seeking authorization for an official visit to thoroughly assess the human rights situation and issue a comprehensive report, Human Rights Watch suggested.
“The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights should engage in a thorough discussion of the serious abuses committed by Burkinabè security forces and Islamist armed groups, alongside the imperative for accountability,” Allan Ngari concluded. “The ACHPR should also recommend tangible measures to guarantee the protection of activists, journalists, and political opponents in Burkina Faso, enabling them to carry out their work without fear. ”
