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

The European Parliament adopted by 476 votes to 11, with 75 abstentions, a resolution on the continued crackdown on civic space and fundamental freedoms in Burkina Faso.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew and Greens/EFA groups.

As a reminder, since the 2022 military coup, the political, human rights and security situation and the civic and democratic space in Burkina Faso has significantly deteriorated. Parliament highlighted serious human rights concerns in Burkina Faso, noting that the government has intimidated, arbitrarily detained, forcibly disappeared, and unlawfully conscripted journalists, political opponents, civil society members, and judges. It also condemned ethnic cleansing against Fulani communities and media repression, including the suspension of outlets such as TV5Monde.

Moreover, 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.

Law No 011-2025/ALT on freedom of association imposes restrictive requirements on civil society organisations. The new Persons and Family Code criminalises the ‘promotion’ of same-sex relations and a draft bill would reinstate the death penalty for certain offences.

The security situation remains dire amid violent terrorist attacks, with millions of people displaced and dependent on humanitarian aid.

The resolution strongly condemns the dissolution and suspension of civil society organisations and urged 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.

Parliament called for an immediate end to intimidation, unlawful conscription, harassment, arbitrary detention, and enforced disappearance of civil society actors and called for independent investigations into all allegations of crimes and human rights violations.

The Burkinabe authorities are called on to:

- uphold freedom of press, lift restrictions on media, and allow journalists to work freely and safely;

- 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;

- 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.

Members reaffirmed that counterterrorism efforts must be conducted in full respect of international human rights and humanitarian law. They also expressed concern over Russia’s growing influence in security and political affairs, contributing to human rights violations and authoritarian drift.

Lastly, the EU is called on to coordinate with African partners to address security and governance challenges and strengthen support for civil society and humanitarian actors.