Urgency for the immediate release of a courageous defender of freedoms in Burkina Faso
The judicial and political situation in Burkina Faso has taken a disturbing turn with the recent conviction and continued arbitrary detention of Ini Benjamine Esther Doli, a prominent lawyer and human rights advocate. This case exemplifies the growing repression against those who dare to defend fundamental freedoms in the country.
Chronology of persecution: from abduction to conviction
The ordeal began in the early hours of September 1, 2025, when armed individuals identifying themselves as gendarmes forcibly abducted Ms. Doli from her home in Ouagadougou. This occurred shortly after she returned from an international trip, during which she had publicly criticized the deteriorating state of governance and justice in Burkina Faso through a Facebook post.
Her last social media message before the abduction questioned the legacy of Thomas Sankara, stating: “Feu Thomas Sankara had created popular tribunals to judge those suspected of offenses, but did not substitute justice to do whatever it wanted and brutalize its people.”
On November 10, 2025, a closed-door hearing at the Ouagadougou Court of First Instance found her guilty of contempt of the president (Article 352-2 of the Penal Code) and attempted demoralization of the armed forces (Article 312-11 of the Penal Code) based on her Facebook statements. She was sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of 1,000,000 F.CFA (€1,525). While acquitted of the more severe charge of treason, she remains detained at the women’s section of Ouagadougou Civil Prison pending her appeal.
This legal action follows the September 6, 2025 announcement by the Faso Prosecutor of an investigation into her Facebook publications for alleged violations including treason, contempt of the head of state, and demoralization of the armed forces.
Silencing dissent: a systematic pattern of repression
Me. Doli’s case is not isolated. Burkina Faso has witnessed an alarming escalation in the repression of civil society, with numerous human rights defenders and journalists facing similar fates:
- Amadou Sawadogo (Balai Citoyen activist), abducted on March 21, 2025, and released on May 26, 2025
- Miphal Ousmane Lankoandé (Balai Citoyen executive secretary), abducted on March 30, 2025, and still missing
- Journalists Boukary Ouoba, Luc Pagbeguem, and Guezouma Sanogo, abducted on March 24, 2025, and later released
- Atiana Serge Oulon, investigative journalist and director of L’Événement, abducted on June 24, 2024, and still missing
This wave of repression targets those who expose human rights violations, judicial dysfunctions, and the intimidation of citizens. Me. Doli was particularly vocal about these issues, denouncing through her platform:
“It is cowardly and terrifying to use taxpayer-funded weapons to intimidate the population, abduct and sequester citizens, and prevent justice from working freely.”
Her advocacy highlighted critical concerns about Burkina Faso’s judicial system, including its slowness, lack of independence, and failure to uphold fundamental rights such as security, personal freedom, and effective access to justice.
International standards violated: a call for urgent action
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership between the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), strongly condemns this judicial harassment. It emphasizes that Me. Doli’s detention violates international human rights standards, including:
- Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) (freedom of expression)
- Article 22 of the ICCPR (freedom of association)
- Articles 9 and 10 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
- Burkina Faso’s own Constitution and Transitional Charter
The Observatory has also noted the arbitrary detention of Guy Hervé Kam, a lawyer and co-founder of the Balai Citoyen movement, who has been detained since January 24, 2024, under similar charges of conspiracy and association with criminals.
Demands for immediate justice
The international community is urged to take action by contacting Burkina Faso’s authorities to demand:
- The immediate and unconditional release of Me. Ini Benjamine Esther Doli and all arbitrarily detained human rights defenders
- An impartial investigation into the abduction and enforced disappearance of defenders like Me. Doli and the missing journalists
- The guarantee of fundamental freedoms, particularly freedom of expression and association, in line with Burkina Faso’s international obligations
- The protection of the integrity and independence of the judiciary and those who defend human rights
Contact Burkina Faso’s authorities:
- Captain Ibrahim Traore, President of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration II (MPSR II): @CapitaineIb22
- Jean-Emmanuel Ouédraogo, Prime Minister of Burkina Faso: @J_E_Ouedraogo
- Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, Minister of Justice and Human Rights: [email protected]
- Jean Marie Karamoko Traore, Minister of Foreign Affairs: [email protected]; @JeanMarieTraore
- Burkina Faso National Human Rights Commission: [email protected]; @BurkinaCndhX
Representatives to the United Nations:
- Sabine Bakyono Kanzie, Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva: [email protected]
- Oumarou Ganou, Permanent Representative to the UN in New York: [email protected]
- Burkina Faso’s Permanent Mission to the African Union: [email protected]
Individuals and organizations worldwide are encouraged to contact Burkina Faso’s diplomatic missions in their respective countries to amplify this call for justice.
Take action now: Write to the authorities listed above to demand the immediate release of Ini Benjamine Esther Doli and an end to the repression of human rights defenders in Burkina Faso. Your voice can make a difference in securing justice for those who bravely stand for freedom.
