Human Rights Watch has criticized Burkina Faso for failing to report human rights abuses in its submission to the African Commission, highlighting the omission of violations occurring between 2021 and 2024. Reports indicate widespread abuses by state and extremist groups against civilians, including arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings. Calls for improved accountability and compliance with human rights standards are urgent as the military government struggles with insecurity.
Human Rights Watch has issued a stark critique of Burkina Faso for neglecting to report human rights violations in its submission to the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights. The Ethiopian report, which spans from 2015 to 2021, has been deemed inadequate as it overlooks pervasive abuses perpetuated by both government forces and extremist groups against the civilian population. Allan Ngari, HRW’s Africa advocacy director, emphasized that the latest abuses, occurring between 2021 and 2024, are missing from the official documentation. He noted, “The report falls short of a number of human rights violations that we have been documenting as Human Rights Watch between 2021 to 2024.” Numerous local and international rights organizations have raised alarms about the deteriorating human rights landscape in Burkina Faso. As military leaders battle Islamist extremists, civilians suffer from arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings, and various forms of torture facilitated by state actors. Not only are government forces implicated, but extremist groups are also accused of heinous acts such as sexual violence, kidnapping, and executing innocents amid a backdrop of chaos engulfing the nation. In response to the escalating violence, the Burkina Faso government claims to have formed a committee aimed at investigating terror-related crimes and enhancing the training of security personnel in line with international human rights standards. Human rights expert Paul Ogendi underscores the significance of these reports, explaining that they play a crucial role in pushing nations to comply with the African charter. “The reporting obligation is very important to help the country adhere to the African charter or comply with the obligation under the African charter,” he stated. Urgency looms as Ngari points out that civic space for activists and journalists is increasingly jeopardized, resulting in the forced conscription of untrained civilians onto the front lines against armed groups. He urges the commission to consider these alarming patterns and demand accountability from the Burkina Faso government. Ogendi elaborated on possible sanctions the commission could impose on non-compliant countries, which primarily involve prompting state leaders to recognize and rectify the underlying issues. He indicated that these measures could include advocacy missions to engage directly with government officials. Last year, the commission reacted to tragic civilian deaths in Burkina Faso, urging a thorough investigation to safeguard the populace, reminding all entities involved of the paramount importance of protecting human rights during turmoil.
Burkina Faso is currently facing serious security challenges, particularly due to the rise of Islamist extremist groups who have perpetrated severe human rights violations. The situation has escalated to a point where both the state authorities and these terrorist factions are implicated in widespread abuses against innocent civilians. In an attempt to monitor and improve the human rights situation, Burkina Faso is required to provide detailed reports to the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, which evaluate the measures taken to address human rights concerns within the country.
In summary, Human Rights Watch’s criticisms highlight a significant gap in Burkina Faso’s reporting on human rights violations, particularly those that have emerged since 2021. The persistent abuse experienced by civilians amid the ongoing turmoil poses dire consequences for human rights protections. Calls for accountability and improvement in reporting and measures to ensure civilian safety are paramount as the nation seeks to navigate this turbulent landscape.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
