Panafrican News Agency

UN expresses serious concern over suspension of political party activities in Burkina Faso

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The United Nations has expressed serious concern about the military's decision to suspend the activities of political parties after a second coup in Burkina Faso in the space of eight months.

Captain Ibrahim Traore took power, forcing Lieutenant-Colonel Damiba to step down and go into exile in Togo.

"We are also deeply concerned by the decision to suspend all political and civil society activities," Seif Magango, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said in a statement.

The OHCHR urged the military authorities to "immediately reverse this arbitrary decision and effectively protect all human rights", said the note published on the UN website.

Following the 30 September 2022 coup d'état, which brought Captain Ibrahim Traoré to power, the activities of political parties and civil society organizations were suspended by the new coup leaders, who also claim to be part of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration (MPSR).

The OHCHR says it is closely monitoring the human rights situation in Burkina Faso after last week's coup. The OHCHR welcomed statements by the military authorities that they will respect the country's "international commitments, including those related to the promotion and protection of human rights".

"However, we remain concerned about the multiple allegations of human rights violations that continue to be reported in many parts of the country," Mr. Magango said.

The Office also called on the current authorities to "unequivocally condemn all cases of hate speech and incitement to violence, wherever they occur, and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable in accordance with the law.

The UN is urging Ouagadougou to promptly, thoroughly and impartially investigate all coup-related deaths and injuries - including those of at least four people killed and eight injured in looting and pro-coup demonstrations since 30 September.

"This includes ensuring that those responsible are held accountable," he said.

More broadly, the OHCHR remains concerned about "the dire security and humanitarian situation" facing the civilian population in the Centre-North and Sahel regions.

In these parts of the West African country, people are "threatened with violence by non-state armed groups on a daily basis".

-0- PANA TNDD/JSG/BBA/RA 8Oct2022