People in rural Burkina Faso prepare for the planting of trees and shrubs.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights today issued a warning about the security situation in northern Burkina Faso. Fighting between the country's security forces and armed groups has reportedly killed hundreds of civilians, including children.
In late February, Burkina Faso military reportedly carried out attacks on two villages in a single day, killing more than 220 civilians, including 56 children, in media reports.
In addition, in the past few days, at least two international media outlets (BBC and Voice of America) have been "temporarily suspended" for reporting on these deadly attacks.
In response, OHCHR spokesperson Marta Hurtado called for an immediate end to restrictions on media freedom and civic space.
"Freedom of expression, including the right to information, is essential in any society, and this is especially true for Burkina Faso, which is in transition," she said in a statement. ”
Burkina Faso has been under military rule since the beginning of 2022, with a rebellion by extremist militants triggering a series of coups and counter-coups.
Army Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who staged the coup, was appointed transitional president in September 2022, and his transitional government continues to fight rebel forces in response to further counter-coup attempts.
The allegations could not be verified
Hurtado said that due to lack of access, OHCHR was unable to independently verify reports of massacres. She stressed, however, that it was essential that "the alleged grave violations and abuses of various actors be brought to light and that the transitional authorities promptly and thoroughly investigate, impartiality and effective investigations".
"Perpetrators must be held accountable, victims' rights to truth, justice and reparation must be upheld, and combating impunity and accountability are paramount conditions for ensuring trust in the rule of law and social cohesion," she added.
Multifaceted challenges
High Commissioner Türk visited Burkina Faso in late March. During his visit, he highlighted the multifaceted challenges facing the people of the country since the overthrow of the democratically elected government in January 2022.
Overall, about 6.3 million of Burkina Faso's 20 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. In 2023, OHCHR documented 1,335 violations and abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law, involving at least 3,800 civilian victims.
Türk has said that armed groups are responsible for the vast majority of these abuses against civilians, which have claimed more than 86 percent of victims. He stressed that the protection of civilians was of paramount importance, that such unbridled acts of violence must cease and that the perpetrators must be held accountable.
