Amnesty International has expressed deep concern over the Burkina Faso government’s decision to dissolve 118 NGOs and associations, calling it a serious attack on the right to freedom of association. According to Senior Researcher Ousmane Diallo, the move contradicts both Burkina Faso’s constitution and its international human rights obligations, including commitments under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The organisation warns that the dissolution reflects a broader and escalating effort to restrict civic space in the country. It argues that civil society groups play a vital role in protecting human rights and upholding the rule of law, and that such measures undermine their ability to operate freely and without fear of retaliation.
Amnesty International further notes that this action is part of a wider pattern of repression targeting civil society in Burkina Faso. This includes the use of restrictive laws, intimidation, harassment, arbitrary detention, and prosecution of activists and human rights defenders, which collectively contribute to a shrinking space for independent voices.
The announcement comes amid a series of recent political and institutional changes in the country, including the earlier dissolution of political parties and tighter financial controls on NGOs. These developments have raised concerns about increased state oversight and restrictions on independent organisations, particularly under the current military-led transition.
Amnesty International has called on the authorities to reverse the decision, restore the operations of dissolved organisations, and ensure full respect for civic freedoms. It urges the government to uphold its constitutional and international obligations and protect the role of civil society in promoting human rights and democratic governance.
