UN human rights chief sounds alarm over rising violence in Burkina Faso

UN human rights chief sounds alarm over rising violence in Burkina Faso

Allegations of responsibility point to both armed groups and State actors. “While armed groups are presumed responsible for the vast majority of incidents and victims and should be held accountable, I am also deeply disturbed that security and defence forces and their auxiliaries, the Volontaires pour la défense de la patrie, allegedly carried out wanton…

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Armed groups continue terror campaign across Burkina Faso

Armed groups continue terror campaign across Burkina Faso

High Commissioner Volker Türk said, from the capital Ouagadougou, that his local office had been “engaging intensely with the authorities, civil society actors, human rights defenders, UN partners and others on many of the multifaceted human rights challenges” the country faces following a coup in January 2022 that saw Captain Ibrahim Traoré assume power. Solidarity…

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World News in Brief: Burkina Faso attack, ending AIDS, Syrian child casualties, new UN migration ambassador

World News in Brief: Burkina Faso attack, ending AIDS, Syrian child casualties, new UN migration ambassador

A large number of fighters from the militant Islamist group JNIM attacked a military base, homes, and a camp for displaced people in the city of Djibo, on Sunday. At least 40 people were killed and more than 42 injured. The attackers also set fire to 20 shops and three sites for displaced people. Stop attacking civilians “Attacks on…

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World News in Brief: ‘Competing’ efforts to rebuild Derna, Myanmar mines threat, schools shut in Burkina Faso

World News in Brief: ‘Competing’ efforts to rebuild Derna, Myanmar mines threat, schools shut in Burkina Faso

Abdoulaye Bathily, who is also UN Special Representative, said that plans floated by different institutions and leaders for reconstruction, run the risk of deepening the existing rift between the internationally recognized Government and rival administration in the east. He added that rebuilding could be impeded without an agreed plan going forward, and that failure to…

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UNHCR urges solidarity with Burkina Faso’s victims of extremist violence

UNHCR urges solidarity with Burkina Faso’s victims of extremist violence

“We’re urgently appealing for all States to refrain from forcibly returning any individuals originating from the regions in Burkina Faso where there is an ongoing crisis,” said Elizabeth Tan, UNHCR Director of International Protection. Speaking in Geneva, Ms. Tan highlighted “killings, forced disappearances, torture and kidnappings”, while in several instances, civilians had been targeted and…

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Burkina Faso: UN rights office calls for probe into latest deadly attack on civilians

Burkina Faso: UN rights office calls for probe into latest deadly attack on civilians

The incident occurred on Thursday when armed men in uniform encircled Karma village, located in northern Yatenga province, and randomly shot at people.  At least 150 civilians were killed, and many more wounded, according to reports.  The attackers – allegedly members of the defence and security forces, accompanied by paramilitary auxiliaries known as the Volunteers…

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Humanitarians launch $877 million plan for Burkina Faso

Humanitarians launch $877 million plan for Burkina Faso

The funding will support some 3.1 million people, as the West African country continues to face the worst humanitarian crisis in its history.  Armed group activity, and military operations, have led to widespread displacement, with nearly two million citizens uprooted.  Human rights abuses and violations, and political instability – including two coup d’états last year…

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