Burkina Faso presented its report on human rights at the African Commission, highlighting ongoing violations under a military regime since 2022. Defenders are facing arbitrary arrests and forced conscriptions, with a climate of fear pervasive among them. The government defends these actions citing security threats, yet this raises alarm over civil liberties and the future of human rights in the nation.
On October 23, 2024, Burkina Faso presented its periodic state report at the 81st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. This report covered the implementation of the African Charter and the Maputo Protocol, detailing various measures taken from 2015 to 2021. However, the presentation emerges from a backdrop of military rule established in 2022, raising concerns about the nation’s trajectory toward civilian governance amidst a protracted five-year transition period. A report by ISHR reveals a troubling pattern of abuses against human rights defenders by the military government, despite a protective law enacted in 2017 and a Defense Mechanism created in 2020. In this oppressive environment, defenders face arbitrary arrests and conscription into the military, suppressing dissent against the regime. A notable case includes Me Hervé Kam, a leading lawyer denied communication with his family and attorneys during his six-week detention for allegedly undermining state security. The atmosphere of fear and self-censorship has become ingrained among defenders in Burkina Faso, deterring them from pursuing their vital work. One defender disclosed that their organization is under surveillance and members have been forcibly conscripted to fight, blurring the lines between protection and persecution. Moreover, the lack of transparency in the conscription process contributes to an ineffective, selective approach to appeal against these orders, while military zones further constrain their movements. In addressing these concerns, state representatives cited security threats posed by terrorism, which complicates the administration of fair elections and legitimizes conscriptions for military service. They maintain that legal avenues exist for individuals contesting conscription orders, yet these assurances mingle with the overwhelming evidence of repression and fear that stifles the voices of those attempting to uphold human rights in Burkina Faso.
Burkina Faso’s struggle under a military regime since 2022 has created a precarious landscape for human rights defenders. The state’s recent report to the African Commission reveals ongoing violations despite previous legal frameworks meant to protect these individuals. The tension between national security priorities and the safeguarding of fundamental rights poses significant challenges to governance and civil liberties in the country.
Despite existing laws designed to protect human rights defenders, Burkina Faso’s current military government has fostered an environment of intimidation and suppression. With reports of forced conscription and unlawful detentions, defenders are increasingly constrained from exercising their rights. The state’s response, citing security concerns, underscores the struggle between national stability and the protection of individual freedoms.
Original Source: ishr.ch
