in one declare Released on Friday, Mr Türk said the authorities’ decision to investigate the deaths was encouraging, but he added it had to be “quick, thorough, impartial and transparent”. “I have sent a letter to the Secretary of State emphasizing this exact message,” the High Commissioner stated. “Victims and their loved ones are heavily indebted.”
28 bodies were found in the northwestern town of Nouna, in the province of Kossi, in the Boucle du Mouhoun region. According to local sources, the victims, all men, were killed when members of the Volontaires pour la Défense de la Patrie (VDP), the armed support force for the defense and security forces, were killed. security, entered the town, apparently in retaliation for an earlier attack. attack on the group’s military base the night before by suspected members of the armed group Jamāʿat nuṣrat al-islām wal-muslimīn (JNIM).
Burkina Faso has been in political turmoil for several years and its people have suffered a series of deadly terrorist attacks. The country’s dire humanitarian crisis has seen more than a million people displaced, victims of ongoing conflict and poverty.
At the opening of the investigation on 2 January, the transitional government of Burkina Faso stated that it was “fundamentally opposed to any form of abuse or violation of human rights on any basis” and reiterated its commitment to safeguarding human rights. protect all civilians without any discrimination.
Mr. Türk has previously raised concerns with the authorities directly about potential human rights risks associated with the recruitment, arming and deployment of auxiliary forces in Burkina Faso.
The statement notes that there is an urgent need to strengthen pre-deployment training and testing procedures in human rights and international humanitarian law, and monitor their effectiveness by security and defense forces. and to ensure inclusion and transparency in their hiring process.
