Amnesty International is calling on the government of Burkina Faso to end its systematic suppression of press freedom. The human rights organization has been monitoring the situation in the West African country. However, journalists are routinely subjected to arbitrary arrest and prosecution, as well as physical attacks and other forms of intimidation.
Human Rights Authority call for action in Burkina Faso
This call for action came one day after UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk conveyed his deep concern about the intensifying restriction of media freedoms in Burkina Faso and other countries affected by insurgent activity. Turk noted that this clampdown on the media is part of a larger trend toward limiting civil liberties in these areas.
Such actions by the government are a clear violation of international law and a threat to democracy in Burkina Faso. However, Amnesty International is urging the government to respect the fundamental right to freedom of expression. They are also called to put an end to all forms of censorship and repression against journalists. Furthermore, they are called to ensure that those responsible for such violations are held accountable. Journalists can work without fear of reprisal.
Moreover, in recent months, media freedoms in the region have been significantly curtailed. This includes the suspension of Radio France Internationale and France 24 broadcasts. However, RFI and France 24 are renowned for their comprehensive coverage of African affairs, and their signals have become widely accessible to French-speaking West African nations. In particular, their popularity has made them widely available in Mali, but recently both stations have had their transmissions suspended by the authorities. This presents a major setback to media freedom in the region as a whole.