Context and legal proceedings

Ini Benjamine Esther Doli, a prominent Burkina Faso-based human rights lawyer and former government prosecutor, was convicted on November 10, 2025, by a closed-door court in Ouagadougou for “contempt of the Head of State” (Article 352-2 of the Penal Code) and “attempting to demoralize the armed forces” (Article 312-11 of the Penal Code). These charges stemmed from critical posts on her Facebook account.

The court sentenced her to one year in prison and a fine of 1,000,000 F.CFA (approximately €1,525). While she was acquitted of the “treason” charge (Article 311-2), she remains detained at the women’s section of Ouagadougou’s central prison pending her appeal. Despite her incarceration, she retains access to legal counsel, family visits, and necessary medical care.

Timeline of events

  • August 31-September 1, 2025: Doli was forcibly abducted from her Ouagadougou home by armed individuals posing as gendarmes, shortly after returning from an international trip.
  • September 4, 2025: The Burkina Faso Bar Association was notified of imminent legal action against her.
  • September 6, 2025: The prosecutor’s office announced an investigation into her Facebook posts, citing alleged violations of national security laws.

Social media activism and government criticism

Doli, known for her vocal advocacy on social media, frequently highlighted violations of fundamental rights, including intimidation, enforced disappearances, and judicial dysfunction. Her pre-abduction Facebook post criticized the misuse of public funds for repression, stating: “It’s cowardly to use weapons bought with taxpayers’ money to terrorize, abduct, and silence the people while obstructing justice.”

Broader pattern of repression

Doli’s case reflects a wider crackdown on civil society and human rights defenders in Burkina Faso. Recent notable cases include:

  • Guy Hervé Kam: Co-founder of Balai Citoyen, detained since January 2024 on charges of “conspiracy and criminal association.”
  • Amadou Sawadogo: Balai Citoyen member, abducted in March 2025 but released in May 2025.
  • Miphal Ousmane Lankoandé: Balai Citoyen executive, abducted in March 2025 and still missing.
  • Journalists Boukary Ouoba, Luc Pagbeguem, and Guezouma Sanogo: Abducted in March 2025; Ouoba and Pagbeguem were released in July 2025, while Sanogo was freed shortly after.
  • Atiana Serge Oulon: Investigative journalist and publisher of L’Événement, abducted in June 2024 and still missing.

International law violations

Doli’s prosecution violates Burkina Faso’s obligations under international human rights law, including:

  • Articles 19 and 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
  • Articles 9 and 10 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
  • Burkina Faso’s Constitution and Transitional Charter

Call to action

The Observatory urges immediate action to:

  • Ensure the safety of Ini Benjamine Esther Doli and all human rights defenders in Burkina Faso.
  • Secure her unconditional release and that of all arbitrarily detained defenders.
  • Launch investigations into the enforced disappearances and abductions of human rights defenders and journalists.
  • Uphold fundamental freedoms, particularly freedom of expression and association, in line with international human rights standards.

Addresses for outreach

Send appeals to Burkina Faso’s authorities, including:

Please also contact Burkina Faso’s diplomatic missions in your respective countries.

Observatory contact: [email protected] | +33 1 43 55 25 18 (FIDH) | +41 22 809 49 39 (OMCT)