Burkina Faso, which uses volunteers to assist the army in the fight against terrorism, wanted on Tuesday to reassure the UN Human Rights Council on its approach, according to the UN press service.
This West African country began last October a vast recruitment of volunteers for the defense of the Fatherland (VDP), with the objective of recruiting 50,000 volunteers.
Testimonies from local populations concerning certain VDPs already active suggest that these armed auxiliaries of the defense and security forces are responsible for the death of some civilians in their offensive operations following terrorist attacks.
But the Burkinabè Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Bibata Nébié Ouédraogo, maintains that “regulatory provisions strictly frame actions on the ground”.
According to her, the objective of the authorities is to register this dynamic « with strict respect for human rights and human dignity », knowing that a training program for VDPs is being implemented.
Ouagadougou justifies the use of these volunteers by a “dynamic of securing and regaining the integrity of the territory” and the adoption on December 17, 2022, of a law establishing volunteers for the defense of the Fatherland (VDP).
The Minister of Justice evokes « a general mobilization of the sons and daughters of the nation and the expression of a patriotic impulse, in order to voluntarily serve the interests of their village or sector of residence, in support of the national armed forces and the internal security forces sorely tested by the cycle of violence of terrorist attacks”.
Allegations of human rights violations committed in the context of the fight against terrorism are “systematically the subject of judicial investigations to locate responsibilities and bring to justice the possible culprits”, assure the transitional authorities in this country.
Burkina has been confronted since 2015 with attacks by terrorist groups. According to the Minister, “as of January 31, 2022, more than one million nine thousand internally displaced persons have been registered, 58% of whom are children. More than one million students are affected by the closure of more than six thousand two hundred and fifty schools.
By OMA Newsletter N° 1066 of 02/28/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
