The right group calls for an investigation by Burkina Faso Civilian Massacre – lawyer

Human Rights Watch (HRW) On Friday on March 10th and 11th, an immediate investigation of the massacre of dozens of civilians in Burkina Faso's City of Solenzo demanded.

In his statement, HRW emphasized video material, which had implied and serious concerns about accountability and civil protection in a country that already implied and serious in social media. The victims, many of whom belonged to the Fulani -ethnic group, were reportedly aligned in an apparently retaliation under the continuing operations of the control of the control.

The massacre underlines the deteriorating security situation in Burkina Faso, where the militias known as volunteers, which are known as volunteers, have committed grave violations in front of the state security forces. The Fulani community was often stigmatized due to alleged connections to Islamist armed groups, which made it vulnerable to such attacks. HRW has emphasized that these atrocities have to be thoroughly examined and those responsible have to be held accountable to prevent further escalation of violence.

Burkina Faso has been involved in conflicts since 2016. Islamist-armed groups associated with al-Qaida and the Islamic state conducts attacks against civilians and state actors alike. From August 2024, violence drove over 2.3 million people internally and externally. In response to this, the country's military junta, which caught power in a coup in October 2022, intensified the efforts to combat uprising through mobilization of civil militias such as the VDPS. While these groups are supposed to strengthen the security forces, their operations often have led to extrajudicial murders, through forced disappearance and other abuse against civilians.

The Junta approach has also contributed to reducing the bourgeois space within the country. Journalists, activists and opposition members were proposed under the guise of national security measures. In addition, the transitional government initially delayed the elections that are originally planned for July 2024 and announced the plans to remain in power for five years after nationwide discussions were largely boycotted by opposition groups.

International organizations have repeatedly asked the Burkina Faso authorities to maintain their obligations within the framework of international human rights law and to ensure the obligation to account for abuse that were committed by state actors and associated militias. Despite these calls, impunity remains widespread.