The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has urged Military Authorities in Burkina Faso to immediately rescind the decision to suspend all political and civil society activities in the country.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which is “deeply concerned” by arbitrary decision, urged the Authorities to lift the ban and effectively protect all human rights.

A statement issued by the United Nations Human Rights spokesperson, Seif Magango, on the situation in Burkina Faso, indicated that the OHCHR is closely following the human rights situation in Burkina Faso after last week’s coup.

Seif Magango noted that the Commission welcomes the military authorities’ statements that they will honour the country’s “international commitments, including those related to the promotion and protection of human rights”. However, the UNCHR remains concerned that multiple allegations of human rights violations continue to be reported from many parts of the country.

“We remain troubled by the dire security and humanitarian situation facing the civilian population in the North-Central and Sahel regions who face daily threats of violence from non-state armed groups. Credible reports suggest that at least eight children died of malnutrition recently in Djibo town, which has been besieged by non-state armed groups since May 2022.”
Seif Magango

Seif Magango disclosed that the last convoy that attempted to deliver humanitarian assistance to the town on 26^th September this year was attacked by armed groups, leaving 37 people dead, among which 10 were civilians.

“We note that the authorities have pledged to deal decisively with ‘terrorism’, however, we caution that all military operations, including those against non-state armed groups, must fully comply with international human rights law as well as applicable international humanitarian law and ensure effective protection of the civilian population.

“We call on Burkina Faso to institute prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into all coup-related deaths and injuries – including those of at least four people killed and eight others injured in looting and pro-coup demonstrations since 30th September – and ensure that those found responsible are held to account. We also call on the current authorities to unequivocally condemn all instances of hate speech and incitement to violence, wherever they may occur, and ensure that any culprits are held accountable in accordance with the law.”
Seif Magango

Attempt to seize power by the force of arms

Allegedly, Capt. Ibrahim Traore appeared on Friday, September 30, 2022 on national television announcing that Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who overthrew the country’s democratically elected president in January, had been removed from power “after failing to end the terrorist violence” that has forced 2 million people to flee their homes.

Meanwhile, Burkina Faso’s self-declared military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, said the situation is under control, urging people to refrain from acts of vandalism targeting the French embassy.

On Sunday, October 2, 2022, security forces fired tear gas at dozens of rock-throwing protesters outside France’s embassy in Burkina Faso’s capital, as unrest simmers in the West African country following its second coup this year.

Supporters of the coup leader gathered outside the building in Ouagadougou a day after he accused the deposed military chief, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, of hiding out at a French base to plot a “counteroffensive”.