Burkina Faso Dissolves Over 100 NGOs and Civil Society Organizations

Burkina Faso Government Orders Dissolution of Over 100 Associations, Civil Society Groups

The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Mobility announced on Wednesday that it has dissolved more than 100 associations and civil society groups in Burkina Faso, citing “current legal provisions”. The move is part of a broader crackdown on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society groups, which rights groups have described as an attack on basic rights.

According to the Ministry, all affected groups are based in Burkina Faso and were involved in human rights defence. The government has been cracking down on NGOs since taking power in 2022, with previous measures including dissolving all political parties and restricting the workings of rights groups and syndicates.

The latest move comes after a law was signed last July restricting the activities of NGOs and syndicates. As a result, 21 rights groups had their authorisation revoked and 10 others were given three-month suspensions. The Territorial Administration Minister, Emile Zerbo, has warned that any group that fails to conform to the new regulations will face penalties.

Amnesty International has expressed concern over the dissolution of NGOs and associations, stating that it is “at odds with the constitution” and “inconsistent with Burkina Faso’s international human rights obligations”. The organisation has called on authorities to rescind the decision.

Source: Al Jazeera