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resolution motion, 16 June 2026

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

Motion B-10-2026-0318 · (2026/2767(RSP))

on behalf of the S&D Group · Rapporteur: Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Murielle Laurent

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AI:In short

This resolution condemns the crackdown on civic space and fundamental freedoms in Burkina Faso, including violence against opponents, dissolution of civil society groups, media suspensions, and political party bans. It calls on Burkinabe authorities to restore freedoms, reverse bans, respect rights, and refrain from reinstating the death penalty, while urging the EU to increase support and protection.

Key points

  1. Condemns all forms of intimidation and violence against political opponents, journalists, media outlets, civil society organisations, and human rights defenders in Burkina Faso.
  2. Deplores the dissolution of civil society organisations and suspension of associations; urges authorities to restore their legal status and allow them to resume activities without restrictions.
  3. Calls for lifting the suspension of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UGEB, and for ending enforced disappearances, unlawful detentions, and conscriptions.
  4. Calls for the EU to increase protection and support for civil society organisations in Burkina Faso.
  5. Calls for reversing the ban on TV5Monde and other media suspensions, upholding press freedom, and allowing journalists to work freely and safely.
  6. Calls for respecting political parties' rights, an urgent return to inclusive and transparent elections and civilian government, and EU support for a safe transition.
  7. Deplores provisions criminalising the promotion of equality and non-discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation; calls for ensuring human rights defenders can work freely.
  8. Calls for Burkina Faso to refrain from reintroducing the death penalty; reiterates categorical opposition to it and calls for its universal abolition.
  9. Expresses strong concerns over Burkina Faso's security and governance crisis; calls for increased EU cooperation and support, stressing authorities must create conditions for it.

Who is affected

  • Civil society organisations, associations, journalists, media outlets, political opponents, human rights defenders, and the UGEB in Burkina Faso.
  • Burkinabe authorities, who are urged to restore freedoms and reverse restrictive measures.
  • The EU, which is called on to increase protection, support, and cooperation.

Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem

Full text

Text 20 paragraphs

B100318/2026

European Parliament resolution on the continued crackdown on civic space and fundamental freedoms in Burkina Faso

(2026/2767(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas in May 2026, the Burkinabe government suspended the General Union for Burkina Students (UGEB) following a statement criticising the junta, and the media regulator suspended French broadcaster TV5Monde, following coverage of violations by government security forces;

whereas in April 2026, the government dissolved and banned the activities of 118 civil society organisations, and suspended 359 associations;

whereas in January 2026, the government dissolved all political parties;

whereas in December 2025, the government adopted a draft bill reinstating death penalty for certain offences;

whereas in November 2025, a presidential decree required all civil society organisations to close their accounts with commercial banks and transfer them to a state-controlled bank;

whereas in September 2025, the new Persons and Family Code criminalised the so-called “promotion” of same-sex relations;

whereas since seizing power in 2022, the government has intimidated, unlawfully conscripted, forcibly disappeared, and arbitrarily detained journalists, political opponents, civil society members, and judges, suspended independent media outlets, and dismantled civil society groups;

Read the rest (8 paragraphs)

Condemns all forms of intimidation and violence against political opponents, journalists and media outlets, civil society organisations and human rights defenders in Burkina Faso;

Deplores the dissolution of civil society organisations and the suspension of associations; urges Burkinabe authorities to uphold freedom of association, assembly and expression, restore their legal status, allow them to resume their activities without undue restrictions, ensure a secure space for civil society and humanitarian actors; calls for lifting the suspension of the activities of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the UGEB; calls for ending enforced disappearances and unlawful detentions and conscriptions; calls for the EU to increase protection and support for civil society organisations in Burkina Faso;

Calls for Burkinabe authorities to reverse the ban on TV5Monde and the suspension of media, uphold freedom of press, and allow journalists and media organisations to work freely and safely;

Calls for Burkinabe authorities to respect the rights of political parties to organise; demands an urgent return to inclusive and transparent elections and civilian government; calls for the EU to support a safe transition;

Deplores provisions that criminalise the promotion of equality and non-discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation; calls for ensuring that human rights defenders can work freely and safely;

Calls for Burkina Faso to refrain from reintroducing death penalty in the Penal Code; reiterates its categorical opposition to the death penalty under any circumstances and calls for its universal abolition;

Expresses strong concerns over Burkina Faso’s security and governance crisis; calls for the EU to increase cooperation and support; stresses that the Burkinabe authorities must create the conditions to allow for it;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the HR/VP, the Member States, the authorities of the Republic of Burkina Faso, the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union, and the UN.