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 calling upon the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples and all Council members to direct their attention to the Fulani populations in Burkina Faso. These communities are currently caught in the brutal struggle against terrorism across the Sahel region.

Since 2016, the Fulani people in Burkina Faso have endured severe human rights violations, some of which may constitute international crimes. The scale of massacres in specific areas could even be classified as ethnic cleansing, given their widespread, systematic, and massive nature.

These atrocities frequently involve the extrajudicial executions of thousands of civilians, perpetrated either by state security forces, often aided by state-supported self-defense groups, or by non-state armed groups. Between January 2019 and May 2020, hundreds of civilians were slaughtered in locations such as Yirgou, Kain Ouro, Banh, Barga, Djibo, and Tawalbougou. Thousands more civilians, including children, languish in prisons, particularly in Kaya and Loumbila, under inhumane conditions. These individuals often face arbitrary arrests and secret detentions, without ever having access to magistrates or legal counsel. Furthermore, a pervasive environment of discrimination and stigmatization has emerged against these populations, who are also grappling with severe food insecurity.

Despite numerous reports and complaints lodged 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 the authorities in Burkina Faso implement all necessary security and judicial measures to establish a protective environment for this vulnerable group.

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Iolanda Jaquemet, Director of Communications
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The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) stands as the leading global coalition of NGOs dedicated to combating torture and ill-treatment, boasting over 200 member organizations in more than 90 countries. Its international secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.