Burkina Faso dissolves more than 100 NGOs and civil society groups
Summary
Burkina Faso’s military government has ordered the closure of more than 100 NGOs and civil society groups, many of which focus on human rights. This action is part of a wider crackdown by the government, led by Ibrahim Traore, that has also dissolved political parties and restricted the activities of rights organizations.Key Facts
- The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Mobility announced the closure of 118 NGOs and associations in Burkina Faso.
- Many of the closed groups work on defending human rights.
- The government said the closures follow current legal rules, including a law passed in July 2023 limiting rights groups’ work.
- Since a 2022 coup, the military government led by Ibrahim Traore has restricted NGOs, unions, and opposition groups.
- Amnesty International called the closures a serious attack on freedom of association and a violation of the country’s constitution and international human rights obligations.
- In November 2023, the government forced NGOs to close their bank accounts and move funds to a state-controlled bank.
- In January 2024, all political parties were dissolved after being suspended for three years.
- Burkina Faso is also fighting armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL, and the government accuses some NGOs of spying and helping these groups.
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