Defending free speech: Burkina Faso’s alarming crackdown on human rights lawyer Ini Benjamine Esther Doli

The Burkina Faso legal and human rights community is sounding the alarm over the arbitrary detention and recent conviction of prominent lawyer Ini Benjamine Esther Doli, whose case exemplifies the growing repression of civil society in the country. The Observatoire pour la protection des défenseurs des droits humains has issued urgent appeals for her immediate release and the cessation of judicial harassment against her.

Who is Ini Benjamine Esther Doli?

Master Ini Benjamine Esther Doli is a highly respected Burkinabè attorney with a distinguished career in public service. She previously served as:

• Substitute Prosecutor at the Bobo-Dioulasso Court of First Instance
• Government Commissioner at the Ouagadougou Administrative Court (appointed May 2019)
• Registered member of the Burkina Faso Bar Association since July 2024

Beyond her legal practice, she is a vocal advocate for fundamental freedoms, actively denouncing systemic violations through her Facebook platform, where she highlighted injustices such as arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and threats against journalists and activists.

How did her legal troubles begin?

On August 31–September 1, 2025, Ms. Doli was forcibly abducted from her home in Ouagadougou by armed individuals posing as national gendarmes. This occurred shortly after her return from abroad, following a critical Facebook post criticizing the erosion of the rule of law in Burkina Faso—particularly in comparison to the revolutionary ideals of Thomas Sankara.

Her post, made upon landing at Ouagadougou Airport, stated:

“Brussels Airlines has just landed at Ouagadougou Airport […]. Thomas Sankara led a revolution, yet today we witness horrifying realities. At least he established people’s courts to try offenders—he didn’t substitute justice with arbitrary actions to brutalize his own people.”

This was her final public statement before her disappearance.

Legal proceedings and current status

On November 10, 2025, a closed-door hearing at the Ouagadougou Court of First Instance delivered a verdict with serious implications:

• Convicted of contempt of the Head of State (Article 352-2 of the Penal Code)
• Convicted of undermining the morale of the armed forces (Article 312-11 of the Penal Code)
• Sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of 1,000,000 F.CFA (~€1,525)
• Acquitted of the charge of treason (Article 311-2 of the Penal Code)

Though Ms. Doli has appealed the ruling, she remains incarcerated at the Ouagadougou Women’s Prison, where she has access to legal counsel, family visits, and medical care.

Timeline of legal actions against her

• September 4, 2025: The President of the Burkina Faso Bar Association was notified of impending charges.
• September 6, 2025: The Faso Prosecutor announced an investigation into alleged violations including treason, contempt, and undermining military morale, based on her Facebook posts.
• November 10, 2025: Court verdict delivered; Ms. Doli sentenced to one year in prison.

A pattern of repression in Burkina Faso

Ms. Doli’s case is not isolated. The Observatoire has documented numerous cases of enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and judicial intimidation targeting human rights defenders and journalists in Burkina Faso:

• Amadou Sawadogo (Balai Citoyen activist): abducted March 21, 2025; released May 26, 2025
• Miphal Ousmane Lankoandé (Balai Citoyen Secretary-General): abducted March 30, 2025; still missing
• Boukary Ouoba, Luc Pagbeguem, Guezouma Sanogo (journalists): abducted March 24, 2025; all released by July 2025
• Atiana Serge Oulon (investigative journalist): abducted June 24, 2024; still missing
• Guy Hervé Kam (human rights lawyer): arrested January 24, 2024; still detained on charges of conspiracy

These actions reflect a broader crackdown on civil society, particularly those challenging military rule and advocating for democratic principles.

International law and human rights obligations

The Observatoire emphasizes that Burkina Faso is bound by international human rights standards, including:

• Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): Right to freedom of expression
• Article 22 of the ICCPR: Right to freedom of association
• Articles 9 and 10 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights: Guarantees of liberty and expression
• Burkina Faso’s Constitution and Transition Charter: Provisions protecting fundamental freedoms

Her detention is widely viewed as a direct violation of these commitments.

Calls for urgent action

The Observatoire urges immediate international intervention, requesting that stakeholders demand:

• The immediate and unconditional release of Ini Benjamine Esther Doli and all arbitrarily detained human rights defenders
• A full investigation into the circumstances of her abduction and enforced disappearance
• The cessation of judicial harassment against her and others engaged in legitimate human rights advocacy
• The restoration of freedoms of expression and association, in line with international law

Who to contact

Write to the following authorities in Burkina Faso to demand justice:

• Captain Ibrahim Traoré, President of the MPSR II – @CapitaineIb22
• Jean-Emmanuel Ouédraogo, Prime Minister of Burkina Faso – @J_E_Ouedraogo
• Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, Minister of Justice, Human Rights, and Institutional Relations – [email protected]
• Jean Marie Karamoko Traoré, Minister of Foreign Affairs – [email protected], @JeanMarieTraore
• National Human Rights Commission of Burkina Faso – [email protected], @BurkinaCndhX
• Permanent Mission of Burkina Faso to the UN in Geneva – [email protected]
• Permanent Mission of Burkina Faso to the UN in New York – [email protected]
• Permanent Mission of Burkina Faso to the African Union in Addis Ababa – [email protected]

Additionally, reach out to Burkina Faso’s diplomatic missions in your country.

The Observatoire requests that all actions taken be reported with reference to OBS 054.1.

Contact the Observatory:

• Email: [email protected]
• FIDH Hotline: +33 1 43 55 25 18
• OMCT Hotline: +41 22 809 49 39