As the 45th session of the Human Rights Council draws to a close, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and its partners within the SOS-Torture Network are urgently appealing to the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and all Council members. They seek focused attention on the Fulani populations in Burkina Faso, who find themselves severely impacted by the ongoing counter-terrorism efforts across the Sahel region.

Since 2016, the Fulani people of Burkina Faso have endured egregious human rights violations, some of which may constitute international crimes. The sheer scale of massacres in certain areas suggests these incidents could amount to ethnic cleansing, given their widespread, systematic, and indiscriminate nature.

These abuses frequently involve the extrajudicial execution of thousands of civilians, perpetrated either by state security forces, often aided by state-supported self-defense groups, or by non-state armed groups. From January 2019 to May 2020 alone, hundreds of civilians were brutally killed in locations such as Yirgou, Kain Ouro, Banh, Barga, Djibo, and Tawalbougou. Furthermore, thousands more civilians, including children, languish in inhumane conditions within prisons, notably in Kaya and Loumbila. These detentions often stem from arbitrary arrests and secret detentions, with victims denied access to magistrates or legal counsel. This situation is compounded by a pervasive climate of discrimination and stigmatization against these communities, who also face severe food insecurity.

Despite numerous reports and formal complaints filed with the courts, Burkinabe authorities have failed to identify and prosecute those responsible for these grave violations. We urge the Human Rights Council to recommend that Burkina Faso’s authorities implement comprehensive security and judicial measures to establish a protective environment for this vulnerable group.

Media Contact:

Iolanda Jaquemet, Director of Communications
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The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) stands as the foremost global coalition of NGOs committed to combating torture and ill-treatment. It comprises over 200 member organizations across more than 90 countries, with its international secretariat located in Geneva, Switzerland.