High Commissioner Volker Türk said, from the capital Ouagadougou, that his local office had been “engaging intensely with the authorities, civil society actors, human rights defenders, UN partners and others on many of the multifaceted human rights challenges” the country faces following a coup in January 2022 that saw Captain Ibrahim Traoré assume power.
Solidarity visit
“I came here to express my solidarity with the people of Burkina Faso at this difficult time and to engage on the human rights situation at the highest level,” said Mr. Türk.
OHCHR
The UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk addresses the media at the end of his visit to Burkina Faso.
He expressed gratitude to Captain Traoré, in his role as President of the transition, adding that they had held in-depth and wide-ranging discussions “on the grave security situation”, the humanitarian crisis as well as climate change and environmental degradation.
They also discussed shrinking civic space, “inequalities, the need to forge a new social contract and on ensuring inclusive participation of all Burkinabe in the transition process” back to civilian rule.
Describing the suffering of Burkinabe as “heartbreaking”, the head of OHCHR said there are 2.3 million people who are food insecure, more than two million people internally displaced and 800,000 children out of school.
In all, around 6.3 million out of a population of 20 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.
Falling off the agenda
“Yet, it has slipped off the international agenda and the resources made available are totally insufficient to respond to the scale of people’s needs,” said Mr. Türk.
Just last year, OHCHR documented 1,335 violations and abuses of human rights and humanitarian law, involving at least 3,800 civilian victims.
“Armed groups were responsible for the vast majority of violations against civilians in incidents involving more than 86 per cent of the victims. Protection of civilians is paramount. Such wanton violence must stop and the perpetrators held accountable.”
He said he understood the grave challenges faced by security forces and had been “encouraged by assurances that steps are being taken to ensure their conduct fully complies with international humanitarian and international human rights laws”.
The transition now needs to proceed “rooted in human rights”, he said, calling on the international community not to lose sight of the widespread needs in Burkina Faso.
Lila Montgomery is a celebrated journalist who has a deep commitment to global affairs and humanitarian issues. Her extensive reporting on United Nations initiatives across the globe has brought critical stories to the forefront, stories that affect communities everywhere.
As a regular reader of international news, I am saddened by the ongoing terror campaign in Burkina Faso. It is imperative that global organizations like the UN step up their efforts to address the multifaceted human rights challenges faced by the country. Mr. Türk’s solidarity visit and discussions with the authorities are crucial for bringing attention to the grave security situation and humanitarian crisis. My thoughts are with the people of Burkina Faso during this challenging time.
Isn’t there any international support being offered to help address the escalating violence in Burkina Faso?
International support is indeed crucial in addressing the escalating violence in Burkina Faso. It is imperative for the international community to come together and provide assistance to tackle the security challenges faced by the country. With coordinated efforts and resources, we can work towards restoring peace and stability in Burkina Faso.
It is truly disheartening to hear about the distressing situation in Burkina Faso. The escalating violence and humanitarian crisis are alarming. We must all come together to support the people of Burkina Faso during this difficult time and work towards restoring peace and stability in the region.
It’s heartbreaking to see the situation escalating in Burkina Faso. The armed groups are causing chaos and endangering the lives of innocent people. We must urgently address the security crisis and provide support to those affected by this conflict.
It’s truly heartbreaking to see the situation in Burkina Faso spiraling out of control. The armed groups seem to be running wild, and it’s crucial that immediate action is taken to address the multifaceted human rights challenges the country is facing. My thoughts are with the people of Burkina Faso during this difficult time.
In my opinion, the situation in Burkina Faso is alarming and needs urgent international attention and support. The report exposes the dire conditions faced by millions of Burkinabe people, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and a coordinated effort to address the multifaceted challenges the country is facing. It is crucial for the international community to step in and provide assistance to prevent further escalation of the crisis.
It is truly devastating to hear about the ongoing crisis in Burkina Faso. The situation seems to be getting worse day by day, and it’s heartbreaking to see so many people suffering. I hope that the international community will step in and provide the necessary support to help the people of Burkina Faso recover from this turmoil.
I believe that it is imperative for the international community to come together and provide comprehensive support to address the escalating crisis in Burkina Faso. The situation is dire and urgent action is required to protect the human rights and well-being of the Burkinabe people.
Will the international community provide more assistance to Burkina Faso to help address the escalating crisis described in the article?
Yes, it is crucial for the international community to step up and provide more assistance to Burkina Faso in addressing the escalating crisis. The situation described in the article is alarming, and urgent action is needed to support the people of Burkina Faso in these challenging times.
Can Volker Türk and his team suggest any concrete actions to address the escalating violence in Burkina Faso?
Well, it’s commendable that Volker Türk and his team are engaging with various stakeholders in Burkina Faso to address the multifaceted human rights challenges. They should focus on implementing strategies that prioritize the protection of civilians and promoting peace and stability in the region.
It’s truly devastating to hear about the dire situation in Burkina Faso. My heart goes out to all those affected by the escalating violence. The international community must step up to support the people of Burkina Faso and help restore stability to the region.