Burkina Faso: two years after the coup, rights violations surge alarmingly

Burkina Faso’s post-coup crisis: a deepening erosion of fundamental freedoms

Two years after the military takeover in Burkina Faso, the transitional authorities have not only failed to restore constitutional order but have systematically dismantled civic and democratic space. Once committed to democratic principles, the current regime has instead intensified repression, silencing dissent and systematically violating human rights. The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has condemned these alarming trends and urgently calls for the restoration of the rule of law.

Nairobi, Dakar, Paris — September 30, 2024 — Since seizing power in the September 30, 2022 coup, Burkina Faso’s military-led authorities have systematically targeted journalists, human rights defenders, and political opponents. These individuals face daily harassment through arrests, abductions, forced disappearances, illegal conscription into the military, and threats against their families. This climate of fear is fueled by hate speech and incitement to violence spread by pro-regime activists on social media.

The FIDH demands that Burkinabè authorities immediately cease all attacks, release arbitrarily detained individuals, and uphold their national, regional, and international human rights obligations.

«Silencing civil society and repressing human rights defenders, journalists, and opponents is unacceptable, especially during a transition period that claims to rebuild the state and improve governance.» declared Drissa Traoré, Secretary General of the FIDH. «Civil society must be protected. Upholding freedoms of expression, opinion, association, assembly, and the press is essential.»

Despite the regime’s stated priority of resolving the ongoing armed conflict, the FIDH has documented a sharp increase in violence and violations against civilians by all parties involved. On August 24, 2024, an attack attributed to the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) targeted civilians, security forces, and civilian defense volunteers (VDP), resulting in dozens of casualties. The FIDH and the Sahel People’s Coalition strongly condemned these grave crimes.

Enforced conscription of critics as military auxiliaries

Since late November 2023, authorities have systematically conscripted human rights defenders, journalists, and political opponents into the military as retaliation for their criticism or reporting on human rights abuses. Under the «Decree on General Mobilization and Warning,» adopted in April 2023, at least ten individuals, including prominent figures like human rights defender Dr. Daouda Diallo and political actor Ablassé Ouédraogo, have been forcibly recruited and sent to the front.

Judges and prosecutors have also been targeted, violating the separation of powers and judicial independence. In August 2024, at least five magistrates, including prosecutors from courts in Ouagadougou 1, Boromo, Bobo-Dioulasso, Gaoua, and Ziniaré, were forcibly conscripted after making judicial decisions unfavorable to regime-aligned individuals. Their conscription spans from August 14 to November 13, 2024.

«Deploying magistrates and law enforcement officials to the frontline in retaliation for judicial rulings unfavorable to regime allies is indefensible.» stated Alice Mogwe, FIDH President. «Burkina Faso’s authorities are undermining both their own Constitution and their obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and international conventions protecting human rights defenders.»

Eradicating press freedom in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso’s authorities have progressively dismantled press freedom. Local media are controlled, international outlets are banned, and journalists are coerced into adopting a «patriotic» slant in their reporting. Independent journalists face persistent threats, attacks, and intimidation, driving widespread self-censorship. Atiana Serge Oulon, an investigative journalist and editor of the esteemed *L’Événement*, was abducted from his home by the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) on June 24, 2024. His family has received no updates since. His newspaper was suspended on June 20 for one month. On June 19 and 28, 2024, journalists Kalifara Séré and Adama Bayala, commentators for BF1, were abducted following the suspension of their show «7 Infos.» The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has expressed «grave concern» over this situation, highlighting the severe threat to the safety and legal protection of journalists.

Targeting families of exiled opponents

In recent weeks, families of former officials have been subjected to harassment, violence, and abductions. Between September 11 and 16, 2024, at least two members of Djibril Bassolé’s family—former Minister of Foreign Affairs under Blaise Compaoré—were violently attacked and abducted in Ouagadougou. These acts are directly incited by pro-regime activists.

«We urge the African Union and the United Nations to coordinate efforts to urge Burkina Faso’s authorities to end this climate of violence, release abducted individuals, and ensure their physical and moral integrity.» declared Professor Mabassa Fall, FIDH Representative to the African Union.