Statement
As the 45th session of the Human Rights Council nears its conclusion, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and its SOS-Torture Network partners are appealing to the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and all Council members. They urge a focused examination of the plight of the Fulani communities in Burkina Faso, who are caught in the escalating conflict against terrorism across the Sahel region.
Since 2016, the Fulani people of Burkina Faso have endured severe human rights abuses, which in some instances may constitute international crimes. The scale of mass killings observed in specific areas suggests a pattern that could amount to ethnic cleansing, given their widespread, systematic, and indiscriminate nature.
These atrocities frequently involve the extrajudicial execution of thousands of civilians, carried out either by state security forces assisted by state-backed self-defense groups, or by non-state armed factions. From January 2019 to May 2020 alone, hundreds of non-combatants were brutally killed in locations such as Yirgou, Kain Ouro, Banh, Barga, Djibo, and Tawalbougou. Furthermore, thousands of other civilians, including children, are languishing in prisons, notably in Kaya and Loumbila, under appalling and inhumane conditions. These detentions often stem from arbitrary arrests and secret detentions, denying individuals access to legal counsel or judicial review. Compounding these issues, a pervasive atmosphere of discrimination and stigmatization has emerged, leaving these communities vulnerable to severe food insecurity.
Despite numerous documented reports and formal complaints filed with the courts, Burkinabe authorities have failed to identify or hold accountable those responsible for these grave violations. We urge the Human Rights Council to recommend that Burkina Faso’s government implement comprehensive security and judicial measures to establish a protective environment for this highly vulnerable population group.
Media Contact:
Iolanda Jaquemet, Communications Director
[email protected]
(+) 41 79 539 41 06
The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) stands as the foremost global coalition of NGOs dedicated to combating torture and ill-treatment. With a network spanning over 200 member organizations in more than 90 countries, its international secretariat is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
