What changed

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

B100329/2026

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

(2026/2767(RSP))

– having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4)its ofprevious itsresolutions Ruleson ofthe Procedure,Sahel,

A. whereas since the 2022 military coup, the political, human rights and security situation and the civic and democratic space in Burkina Faso has significantly deteriorated;

having regard to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,

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;

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

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 Burkina Faso has been governed by a military junta since the coup d'état of September 2022 led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré;

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 the security situation in Burkina Faso continues to deteriorate as jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State expand their operations across the Sahel, including through cross-border insurgent activity originating from neighbouring Mali;

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 in recent months the military authorities have dissolved more than 100 associations and civil society organisations, further shrinking civic space and restricting the freedoms of association, expression and assembly;

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 transitional authorities have dissolved political parties and suspended political activities, while President Traoré has publicly stated that Burkinabè citizens should “forget” democracy;

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

whereas journalists, civil society representatives, human rights defenders and perceived critics of the regime have reportedly been subjected to intimidation, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and forced recruitment;

4. Calls on the Burkinabe authorities to restore the rights of student organisations and political parties to organise, and to present a credible roadmap towards free and transparent elections and civilian governance;

whereas Human Rights Watch and other organisations have documented grave violations committed by government forces and allied militias against Fulani civilians, including killings and forced displacement, which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity;

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;

whereas the military authorities have strengthened political, economic and security cooperation with Russia while reducing cooperation with traditional international partners; whereas Burkina Faso is one of the Sahel states where Russia's Africa Corps operates in; whereas many Africa Corps personnel are former Wagner fighters, and the group is widely seen as Wagner's successor operating under tighter Kremlin control;

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;

whereas Burkina Faso together with Niger and Mali formally withdrew from ECOWAS in January 2025 and formed the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS);

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.

whereas continued instability in Burkina Faso risks further destabilising the wider Sahel region and undermining regional efforts to restore security, constitutional order and economic development;

Strongly condemns the continued crackdown on civic space, political freedoms and fundamental rights in Burkina Faso;

Expresses grave concern over the dissolution of political parties and the public rejection of democratic governance by the country's military leadership;

Condemns the ongoing jihadist insurgency affecting Burkina Faso and the wider Sahel, including terrorist activities originating from and operating across the border with Mali;

Expresses concern over the growing influence of Russia in Burkina Faso's security and political affairs that contributes to democratic backsliding, reduced transparency and human rights abuses; highlights that Russian paramilitary actors operating in the Sahel have been implicated in serious human rights violations;

Calls on the Commission, the EEAS and the Member States to closely monitor the human rights situation in Burkina Faso, support independent civil society and humanitarian actors, and coordinate with African partners to address the interconnected challenges of terrorism, governance and regional instability;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the HR/VP, the authorities of Burkina Faso and the African Union.