Burkina Faso two years after coup: alarming surge in rights violations

The political landscape in Burkina Faso remains deeply troubled two years after the military takeover of September 30, 2022. Despite initial pledges to restore constitutional order, the transitional authorities have systematically suppressed civic and democratic freedoms, silencing critical voices and undermining fundamental human rights. The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has strongly condemned these widespread abuses and urged the immediate restoration of the rule of law.

Nairobi, Dakar, Paris – September 30, 2024. Since seizing power, the current leadership has progressively institutionalized a climate of repression targeting journalists, human rights defenders, and political opponents. Daily attacks include arrests, abductions, forced disappearances, conscription into military service, and threats against families. This atmosphere of fear is exacerbated by inflammatory rhetoric and calls for violence on social media by pro-government activists.

The FIDH calls on Burkina Faso’s authorities to immediately halt these abuses, release all arbitrarily detained individuals, and uphold their national, regional, and international human rights commitments.

«Silencing civil society and repressing human rights defenders, journalists, and opponents is unacceptable, especially during a transitional period that claims to rebuild the state and improve governance», declared Drissa Traoré, FIDH Secretary General. «The protection of civil society is essential. Preserving freedom of expression, opinion, association, assembly, and press is critical to safeguarding democracy».

While the regime had prioritized resolving the ongoing armed conflict, the FIDH has documented a sharp escalation in violence and civilian casualties. 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 numerous fatalities. The FIDH and the Sahel People’s Coalition have denounced these grave crimes.

Forced conscription of critics and opponents

Since late November 2023, authorities have systematically conscripted human rights defenders, journalists, and political opponents into the military as retaliation for their criticism or exposure of human rights violations. Under the April 2023 «Decree on General Mobilization and Caution», at least ten individuals—including prominent figures like human rights defender Dr. Daouda Diallo and politician Ablassé Ouédraogo—have been abducted and sent to the frontlines.

Magistrates are also targeted, violating the principle of judicial independence. In August 2024, at least five judges, including prosecutors who had opened investigations or issued rulings against regime allies, were forcibly conscripted. These individuals—from courts in Ouagadougou, Boromo, Bobo-Dioulasso, Gaoua, and Ziniaré—were deployed from August 14 to November 13, 2024.

«The deployment of judges and law enforcement officials to the frontlines in retaliation for unfavorable rulings is a dangerous precedent», stated Alice Mogwe, FIDH President. «This undermines Burkina Faso’s Constitution and violates its obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and international conventions protecting human rights defenders».

Crackdown on press freedom

The authorities have steadily eroded press freedom, imposing strict controls on local media and banning international outlets. Journalists face relentless intimidation and must adhere to a «patriotic news coverage» doctrine, leading to widespread self-censorship. Atiana Serge Oulon, an investigative journalist and editor of the respected biweekly *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. Additionally, journalists Kalifara Séré and Adama Bayala, contributors to the suspended BF1 show *7 Infos*, were abducted on June 19 and 28, 2024. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights expressed grave concerns over these incidents, highlighting the severe threats to journalists’ safety and legal protections.

Harassment of exiled opponents’ families

In recent weeks, relatives of former officials have faced harassment, violence, and abductions. Between September 11 and 16, 2024, at least two family members of Djibril Bassolé, former Foreign Minister under Blaise Compaoré, were assaulted and abducted in Ouagadougou. These acts are directly incited by regime-aligned activists fomenting violence.

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