Burkina Faso Summons EU Ambassador Over Human Rights Resolution

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – Burkina Faso summoned the European Union's ambassador to express its "disappointment and disgust" over a European Parliament resolution adopted on June 18. The resolution warned of deteriorating human rights in the West African nation.

During the audience with Ambassador Philippe Bronchain, Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré accused the European Parliament of acting as a "judge" on the country's internal affairs, security, and civic space. Traoré stated that the claims made by European lawmakers were filled with erroneous data and represented "a sign of contempt" stemming from "total ignorance" of Burkina Faso's efforts.

"Our country has been striving for a long time to confront insecurity alongside Mali and Niger. We are a barrier that the three leaders are trying to keep consolidated," Traoré said, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Bronchain assured the minister that the government's message would be promptly conveyed to European institutions.

The European Parliament's resolution urged Burkina Faso's authorities to respect freedoms of association, assembly, and expression, warning that press freedom is "gravely threatened." It called for the lifting of media restrictions and guarantees for journalists' safety. The text also demanded independent investigations into alleged human rights abuses, denouncing practices such as intimidation, arbitrary detentions, and forced disappearances. European lawmakers expressed "serious concerns" about Russia's influence in Burkina Faso following the withdrawal of European forces, linking it to human rights violations and an authoritarian drift.

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Our country has been striving for a long time to confront insecurity alongside Mali and Niger. We are a barrier that the three leaders are trying to keep consolidated.