Human rights groups have raised concerns over alleged human rights violations in Burkina Faso, urging the government to respect the rights of defenders amid alarming reports of abductions and forced military conscription. The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International have called upon Burkina Faso to cease these practices, particularly since the military government’s rise to power in 2022. These groups assert that the situation has led to a climate of fear among human rights defenders, deterring them from their vital work due to safety concerns.
The ISHR highlights cases of arbitrary arrests and forced conscription faced by defenders, pointing to increased disappearances as a major deterrent. A report prepared by the ISHR documents these disappearances and the subsequent reluctance among defenders to engage in their protective role.
Moreover, Human Rights Watch reports that individuals who have shown support for defenders, especially those within the judiciary such as magistrates, have been targeted for conscription in an apparently unlawful manner, citing prosecution against junta supporters as a basis for forced conscription into military service. This targeting extends to professionals otherwise unrelated to military conflicts, including journalists and at least seven magistrates.
The groups criticize the conscription process for its lack of transparency and equitable application, noting its discriminatory and selective enforcement. Amnesty International has called for the military government to align itself with international human rights norms, advocating for procedural transparency and the right of conscripted individuals to maintain family contact. Furthermore, Human Rights Watch has urged the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to engage Burkina Faso on these human rights issues.
State representatives in Burkina Faso have responded by citing security threats as justifications for the measures taken, a rationale that human rights groups remain critical of, given the potential violation of human rights standards and established protections.
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