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.
Relevant Links
Burkina Faso Newsroom
April 7, 2020 • Press Release
Armed conflicts and state repression in Africa fuel cocktail of human rights violations
HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFRICA: Protesters across sub-Saharan Africa have braved bullets and beatings to defend their rights in the face of continuing conflict and state repression, Amnesty International said today …
April 22, 2016 • Press Release
Burkina Faso: Forced and early marriage puts thousands of girls at risk
Early and forced marriage in Burkina Faso is robbing thousands of girls as young as 13 of their childhood, while the cost of contraception and other barriers prevent them from choosing if and when to have children, Amnesty International said in a report published today.
April 22, 2016 • Report
Burkina Faso: Forced and early marriage puts thousands of girls at risk
Early and forced marriage in Burkina Faso is robbing thousands of girls as young as 13 of their childhood, while the cost of contraception and other barriers prevent them from choosing if and when to have children, Amnesty International said in a report published today.
February 22, 2016 • Press Release
Amnesty International’s Annual State of the World Report Slams Governments, Including the U.S., for Global Assault on Freedoms
On the launch of its 2015 State of the World report, Amnesty International USA urged President Obama to use his last year in office to bring U.S. laws and policies in line with international human rights standards.
February 18, 2016 • Report
Amnesty International State of the World 2015-2016
International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
February 18, 2016 • Press Release
Your rights in jeopardy, global assault on freedoms, warns Amnesty International
International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
January 19, 2016 • Press Release
Devastating news of the deaths of Leila Alaoui and Mahamadi Ouédraogo
It is with great sadness that Amnesty International has learned of the tragic death of photographer Leila Alaoui and driver Mahamadi Ouédraogo, as a result of the Al Qaeda attack in Ougadougou on Friday.
October 13, 2015 • Press Release
Burkina Faso: No amnesty for soldiers who killed unarmed civilians
Burkina Faso’s former presidential guard displayed a cold-blooded disregard for human life, killing 14 unarmed protestors and bystanders and wounding hundreds more with automatic weapons following last month’s coup d’état, Amnesty International said today.
September 17, 2015 • Press Release
Army must free detained leaders in Burkina Faso and avoid violent repression of protests
Burkina Faso’s Presidential Guard must stop using lethal force, beatings and other violence to repress protests and release arbitrarily detained members of the transitional government, said Amnesty International amid reports that demonstrators have been beaten and shot following today’s coup.
August 27, 2015 • Press Release
Burkina Faso: Opportunity to abolish the death penalty must be seized
Burkina Faso must seize the opportunity to abolish the death penalty, Amnesty International said on the eve of parliamentary sessions which will culminate in an historic vote.
