Burkina Faso

Human Rights in Burkina Faso

Human Rights Concerns

Strained relations between Burkina Faso and neighboring, war-torn Cote d'Ivoire have spurred human rights abuses of prisoners accused of association and/or supplying information to Cote d'Ivoire in regards to a number of issues, hindering all peace efforts.

Burkina Faso also faces a crisis in maternal care, with a maternal mortality rate of 332 deaths per 100,000 births, ranking it 137th in the world.

On February 12, 2010 President Blaise Compaoré met with an Amnesty International delegation and pledged to remove financial barriers to maternal care. Following the report Giving Life, Risking Death released in January, Amnesty members together with local activists launched a maternal mortality caravan, whose success culminated in securing the president’s pledge. Progress has been slow however, and Amnesty urges immediate action to remove remaining financial barriers that prevent women from receiving care.