What changed

B100318/2026

B100320/2026

European Parliament resolution on the continuedContinued crackdown on civic space and fundamental freedoms in Burkina Faso

(2026/2767(RSP))

– having regard to Rule 150(5)its ofprevious itsresolutions Ruleson ofBurkina Procedure,Faso,

whereas in May 2026, the Burkinabe government suspended the General Union for Burkina Students (UGEB) following a statement criticising the junta, and the media regulator suspended French broadcaster TV5Monde, following coverage of violations by government security forces;

– having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas in April 2026, the government dissolved and banned the activities of 118 civil society organisations, and suspended 359 associations;

since the military takeover of January 2022, civic and democratic space in Burkina Faso has deteriorated significantly;

whereas in January 2026, the government dissolved all political parties;

whereas the authorities in 2026 continue to restrict civic and political freedoms through the suspension of student organisations, including The General Union for Burkina Students (UGEB), and the the dissolution of political parties and 118 human rights civil society organisations;

whereas in December 2025, the government adopted a draft bill reinstating death penalty for certain offences;

whereas in May 2026, the media regulator ordered the suspension of French broadcaster TV5Monde, accusing it of “disinformation” and “apology of terrorism”;

whereas in November 2025, a presidential decree required all civil society organisations to close their accounts with commercial banks and transfer them to a state-controlled bank;

whereas in December 2025, the authorities adopted a draft bill reinstating death penalty;

whereas in September 2025, the new Persons and Family Code criminalised the so-called “promotion” of same-sex relations;

whereas in November 2025, a presidential decree required all civil society organisations to close their accounts transfer them to a state-controlled bank;

whereas since seizing power in 2022, the government has intimidated, unlawfully conscripted, forcibly disappeared, and arbitrarily detained journalists, political opponents, civil society members, and judges, suspended independent media outlets, and dismantled civil society groups;

whereas Law No. 011-2025/ALT on freedom of association imposes restrictive requirements on civil society organisations;

Condemns all forms of intimidation and violence against political opponents, journalists and media outlets, civil society organisations and human rights defenders in Burkina Faso;

whereas the new Persons and Family Code criminalised the so-called “promotion” of same-sex relations;

Deplores the dissolution of civil society organisations and the suspension of associations; urges Burkinabe authorities to uphold freedom of association, assembly and expression, restore their legal status, allow them to resume their activities without undue restrictions, ensure a secure space for civil society and humanitarian actors; calls for lifting the suspension of the activities of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the UGEB; calls for ending enforced disappearances and unlawful detentions and conscriptions; calls for the EU to increase protection and support for civil society organisations in Burkina Faso;

Strongly condemns the dissolution and suspension of civil society organizations and calls on the authorities to immediately reverse these measures and ensure that civil society organisations can operate freely;

Calls for Burkinabe authorities to reverse the ban on TV5Monde and the suspension of media, uphold freedom of press, and allow journalists and media organisations to work freely and safely;

Urges the authorities to review and amend Law No. 011-2025/ALT and related measures in consultation with civil society, ensuring full compliance with international and regional human rights obligations;

Calls for Burkinabe authorities to respect the rights of political parties to organise; demands an urgent return to inclusive and transparent elections and civilian government; calls for the EU to support a safe transition;

Calls for an immediate end to all forms of intimidation, harassment, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance and unlawful conscription of civil society actors, journalists, human rights defenders, humanitarian workers and political opponents;

Deplores provisions that criminalise the promotion of equality and non-discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation; calls for ensuring that human rights defenders can work freely and safely;

Calls for the immediate release of all persons arbitrarily detained for exercising their fundamental freedoms and urges independent investigations into all allegations of human rights violations;

Calls for Burkina Faso to refrain from reintroducing death penalty in the Penal Code; reiterates its categorical opposition to the death penalty under any circumstances and calls for its universal abolition;

Calls on the authorities to restore freedom of expression and media freedom and lift restrictions on independent media;

Expresses strong concerns over Burkina Faso’s security and governance crisis; calls for the EU to increase cooperation and support; stresses that the Burkinabe authorities must create the conditions to allow for it;

Calls on the authorities to respect political pluralism, restore the activities of political parties and student organisations, including UGEB, and present a credible roadmap towards an inclusive, civilian-led democratic transition based on free and transparent elections;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the HR/VP, the Member States, the authorities of the Republic of Burkina Faso, the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union, and the UN.

Reaffirms that efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism must be conducted in full respect of international human rights law, international humanitarian law and the rule of law;

Reiterates its unequivocal opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances and urges Burkina Faso not to proceed with any legislative initiative aimed at its reintroduction;

Calls on the EU and its Member States to maintain engagement with Burkina Faso while placing fundamental rights and civic space at the centre of political dialogue and increasing support to Burkinabè civil society organisations;

Calls on the United Nations, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States to continue closely monitoring the human rights situation;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the HR/VP, the Member States, the authorities of the Republic of Burkina Faso, the ECOWAS, the AU, and the UN.