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

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

(2026/2767(RSP))

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

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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

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;

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;

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;

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.