On the Continued crackdown on civic space and fundamental freedoms in Burkina Faso

B100320/2026

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

(2026/2767(RSP))

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Burkina Faso,

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

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

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

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

whereas in November 2025, a presidential decree required all civil society organisations to close their accounts 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 criminalised the so-called “promotion” of same-sex relations;

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;

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 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;

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 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.