What changed

B100320/2026

P10_TA(2026)0225

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

(2026/2767(RSP))

PE783.374

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Burkina Faso,

European Parliament resolution of 18 June 2026 on the continued crackdown on civic space and fundamental freedoms in Burkina Faso (2026/2767(RSP))

– having regard to RuleRules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas since the 2022 military takeovercoup, ofthe Januarypolitical, 2022,human rights and security situation and the civic and democratic space in Burkina Faso has deterioratedsignificantly significantly;deteriorated;

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;

B. whereas the Burkinabe Government has intimidated, unlawfully conscripted, forcibly disappeared, and arbitrarily detained journalists, opponents, civil society members and judges; whereas Fulani communities have been subjected to ethnic cleansing; whereas attacks on the media have led to the suspension of TV channels, radio stations and newspapers, including, most recently, TV5Monde;

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

C. whereas the Burkinabe Government has dissolved all political parties and 118 civil society organisations, suspended hundreds of associations, including the General Union for Burkina Students, further shrinking civic space, and required civil society organisations to close their accounts and transfer them to a state-controlled bank; whereas Law No 011-2025/ALT on freedom of association imposes restrictive requirements on civil society organisations; whereas the new Persons and Family Code criminalises the ‘promotion’ of same-sex relations; whereas a draft bill would reinstate the death penalty for certain offences;

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

D. whereas the security situation remains dire amid violent terrorist attacks, with millions of people displaced and dependent on humanitarian aid; whereas European partners have substantially supported counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel at great human cost;

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

1. Strongly condemns the dissolution and suspension of civil society organisations; urges the Burkinabe authorities to immediately reverse these measures and uphold freedom of association, assembly and expression, including by amending Law No 011-2025/ALT and other related measures;

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

2. Calls for an immediate end to intimidation, unlawful conscription, harassment, arbitrary detention, and enforced disappearance of civil society actors, journalists, human rights defenders, humanitarian workers and political opponents; calls for independent investigations into all allegations of crimes and human rights violations;

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

3. Calls on the Burkinabe authorities to uphold freedom of press, lift restrictions on media, and allow journalists to work freely and safely;

Strongly4. condemnsCalls on the dissolutionBurkinabe andauthorities suspensionto ofrestore civilthe societyrights organizationsof andstudent callsorganisations onand thepolitical authoritiesparties to immediatelyorganise, reverseand theseto measurespresent anda ensurecredible thatroadmap civiltowards societyfree organisationsand cantransparent operateelections freely;and civilian governance;

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;

5. Calls on the Burkinabe authorities to refrain from reinstating the death penalty, reverse their decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, and decriminalise civil society efforts to uphold human rights, equality and non-discrimination on all grounds;

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;

6. Reaffirms that counterterrorism efforts must be conducted in full respect of international human rights and humanitarian law; notes that the expulsion of European forces and the dismantling of security partnerships and the pursuit of a partnership with Russia have not produced any security gains; expresses concern over Russia’s growing influence in security and political affairs, contributing to human rights violations and authoritarian drift; calls for the EU to coordinate with African partners to address security and governance challenges and strengthen support for civil society and humanitarian actors;

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;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the Member States, the Burkinabe authorities, the African Union and the United Nations.

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

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;

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.