Connection e.V. has submitted a report to the United Nations Human Rights Committee to contribute to the review procedure of Burkina Faso at its 143rd session.

Of particular concern is the conscription system which is not in line with international standards and rule of law and the trial of civilians by military courts. 

There is not an effective protection of the right to conscientious objection to military service in the country.

The situation appears to have been possibly deteriorated, particularly following and in relation to a Decree of April 2023, enforcing general mobilisation in order to defend the integrity of the national territory, restore security and protect population from “terrorist actions”. This Decree effectively permits the conscription of civilians in the armed forces.  

The report refers to several individual cases and presents suggested recommendations to the state under review:

• Release immediately and unconditionally all persons unlawfully conscripted; implement any judicial decisions concerning unlawfully conscripted persons and amend legislation and practice about conscription and mobilisation in order to bring them in line with international human rights law and standards.  
• Amend or adopt legislation with a view to effectively protecting the right to conscientious objection to military service in line with international human rights law and standards.  
• Abolish the competence of military courts to undertake cases involving civilians. 
• Take the necessary legislative measures to exclude the investigation and prosecution of acts of enforced disappearance from the competence of the military courts in all cases. 
• Provide adequate training to officials examining applications for asylum, as for the issue of the international protection which should be granted to conscientious objectors to military service fleeing from countries where the right to conscientious objection to military service is not adequately protected.