Declaration
As the 45th session of the Human Rights Council draws to a close in the coming days, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and its partners within the SOS-Torture Network are urging the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, along with all Council members, to direct their attention to the Fulani communities in Burkina Faso. These populations find themselves caught in the escalating conflict against terrorism across the Sahel region.
Since 2016, the Fulani people of Burkina Faso have been subjected to severe human rights violations, some of which may equate to international crimes. The extent of the atrocities in certain areas could even be classified as ethnic cleansing, given their widespread, systematic, and massive nature.
These abuses frequently involve the extrajudicial execution of thousands of civilians, carried out either by state security forces, often assisted by state-backed self-defense groups, or by various non-state armed factions. Between January 2019 and May 2020, hundreds of non-combatants were massacred in locations such as Yirgou, Kain Ouro, Banh, Barga, Djibo, and Tawalbougou. Furthermore, thousands of other civilians, including children, languish in prisons, notably in Kaya and Loumbila, under inhumane conditions. These individuals are victims of arbitrary arrests and secret detentions, often without ever having access to magistrates or legal counsel. Compounding these issues, a pervasive atmosphere of discrimination and stigmatization has developed against these communities, who also confront severe food insecurity.
Despite numerous reports and complaints filed with judicial bodies, Burkinabe authorities have failed to identify and prosecute those responsible for these violations. We call upon the Human Rights Council to recommend that the authorities of Burkina Faso adopt all necessary security and judicial measures to establish a protective environment for this vulnerable group.
The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) stands as the leading global coalition of NGOs dedicated to combating torture and ill-treatment. It comprises over 200 member organizations in more than 90 countries, with its international secretariat based in Geneva, Switzerland.
