BURKINA FASO

Head of state: Blaise Compaoré
Head of government: Tertius Zongo
Death penalty: abolitionist in practice
Population: 15.8 million
Life expectancy: 52.7 years
Under-5 mortality (m/f): 160/154 per 1,000
Adult literacy: 28.7 per cent

Human rights defenders were harassed while promoting the fight against impunity. At least six people were sentenced to death. Despite continued efforts by the government, maternal mortality remained high.

Human rights defenders

In January, three members of the Collective against Impunity, including Chrysogone Zougmoré, President of the Burkinabè Movement for Human and Peoples' Rights (Mouvement burkinabè des droits de l'homme et des peuples), were summoned by the gendarmerie and questioned about the organization of a demonstration to mark the 10th anniversary of the killing of prominent investigative journalist, Norbert Zongo. No serious investigation was ever conducted into the killing.

Death penalty

At least six people were sentenced to death. Among them were two people convicted of murder during the November assize court session held in Dédougou in the west of the country. The last execution known to have been carried out was in 1988.

Right to health

Despite government efforts during the previous few years to improve access to maternal health services, including a reduction of fees, maternal mortality remained high. In October, the government passed two decrees to improve access to contraceptive services, but the use of contraception remained very low.

Amnesty International visits

  • Amnesty International delegates visited Burkina Faso in February, June and November.

Disclaimer: © Copyright Amnesty International

This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.