Burkina Faso grapples with rising rights abuses two years after military takeover
Two years after Burkina Faso’s military seized power in a September 2022 coup, the transitional government has not only failed to restore constitutional order but has systematically crushed civic space. The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has condemned the escalating crackdown on dissent, calling for the immediate restoration of rule of law and fundamental freedoms.
Systematic repression targets critics, journalists, and opposition
Since the coup, authorities have intensified repression against journalists, human rights defenders, and political opponents. Daily attacks include arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, forced conscription, and threats to families. A toxic climate of fear is fueled by pro-regime activists spreading hate speech and incitement to violence on social media.
The FIDH demands the immediate cessation of these abuses and the release of all arbitrarily detained individuals. Authorities are urged to uphold their national, regional, and international human rights obligations.
«Silencing civil society and persecuting human rights defenders, journalists, and opponents is unacceptable, especially during a transition period that claims to rebuild the state and improve governance.
— Drissa Traoré, FIDH Secretary GeneralCivil society must be protected. Preserving freedom of expression, opinion, assembly, and the press is essential.
Forced conscription of rights defenders and judges
Since late 2023, authorities have systematically conscripted human rights defenders, journalists, and political opponents into the military as retribution for their criticism. Under the April 2023 «general mobilization decree», at least a dozen individuals, including prominent activist Daouda Diallo and politician Ablassé Ouédraogo, have been forcibly sent to the frontline.
Judges are also targeted. In August 2024, five magistrates—including prosecutors—were forcibly conscripted after handling cases involving regime allies. This violates the principle of judicial independence and the separation of powers.
«Deploying magistrates to the frontline as retaliation for unfavorable rulings is outrageous.
— Alice Mogwe, FIDH PresidentBurkina Faso is violating its own Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and international conventions protecting human rights defenders.
Media freedom under siege
Press freedom in Burkina Faso has been severely restricted. Local media face state control, while international outlets are banned. Journalists are coerced into adopting a «patriotic» narrative supportive of the regime, subjecting them to constant threats and attacks. Self-censorship is widespread.
Atiana Serge Oulon, investigative journalist and editor of *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 the same month. Two BF1 TV commentators, Kalifara Séré and Adama Bayala, were also abducted after their show *7 Infos* was suspended.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has expressed grave concern over these incidents, warning they pose a severe threat to journalists’ physical and moral integrity.
Families of exiled opponents targeted
In recent weeks, relatives of former officials have faced harassment, violence, and abductions. Between September 11–16, 2024, two family members of Djibril Bassolé, a former foreign minister under Blaise Compaoré, were violently assaulted and abducted in Ouagadougou. These acts are directly incited by pro-regime activists.
«We urge the African Union and the United Nations to coordinate efforts to pressure Burkina Faso to end this climate of violence, release abducted individuals, and respect their physical and moral integrity.
— Professor Mabassa Fall, FIDH Representative to the African Union
FIDH calls for urgent action:
- Immediate halt to all rights violations and forced conscriptions;
- Unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained individuals;
- Respect for human rights obligations under national, regional, and international law;
- Protection of journalists, human rights defenders, and political opponents.
