Accusations of responsibility point to both armed groups and state actors.
“While armed groups are considered responsible for the vast majority of incidents and casualties and must be held accountable, I am also deeply concerned that security and defense forces and their auxiliaries, the Volunteers for the defense of the fatheralleged to have committed deliberate killings, including summary executions,” said Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in rack.
The reported killings were among alleged violations and abuses involving at least 2,732 people in the West African country between November 2023 and April 2024.
That figure was a sharp spike of 71 percent compared to the previous six months.
Civilians are being attacked
According to the UN Human Rights Office OHCHRarmed groups, such as Jamāʿat nuṣrat al-islām wal-muslimīnthe Islamic State in the Greater Sahara and other similar organizations have increased their attacks on civilians, including internally displaced persons.
State forces are also believed to be behind the violence.
In a particularly horrible incidentMore than 220 civilians, including 56 children, were reportedly killed in a single day in late February in attacks allegedly carried out by the army in two villages in the north.
Burkina Faso has been under military rule since early 2022, amid an insurgency by extremist militants that sparked a series of coups and counter-coups. Captain Ibrahim Traoré was appointed transitional president in September 2022, and the transitional government has continued to fight insurgents and reported counter-coup attempts.
Amid the highly unstable situation, more than six million Burkinabè, out of a total population of twenty million, have become dependent on humanitarian aid.
Respect international law
“I fully appreciate the complex security threats Burkina Faso faces. A response to these threats will only succeed if international law is fully respected everywhere. I therefore reiterate my call on the authorities in Burkina Faso to take all possible measures to ensure the protection of civilians,” said High Commissioner Türk.
He urged the government to support a thorough, independent and transparent investigation into all allegations of violations and abuses of international law, and to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice through a fair trial.
“There must be justice and accountability if the authorities want to reassure the population, restore social cohesion and rebuild trust between citizens and the security forces,” Mr Türk added.
The High Commissioner had raised his concerns about the situation in Burkina Faso with government officials, including President Traoré. while visiting the country in March.