Editor TLN
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, asked the transitional authorities of Burkina Faso on Friday to expedite investigations into the murder of at least 28 people whose bodies were found in the northwestern town of Nouna, in the Boucle du Mouhoun region of the Kossi province, on December 30 and 31.
In a statement, Türk applauded the Burkinabe authorities’ announcement to open an investigation into the incident. “I call on you to ensure that it is prompt, thorough, fair and transparent, and to hold all those responsible to account, regardless of their position or rank.”
“I have sent a letter to the Foreign Minister underlining exactly this message. The victims and their loved ones are owed no less,” the High Commissioner said.
According to local sources, members of the Volontaires pour la Défense de la Patrie (Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland), subsidiary armed bodies of the defense and security forces, entered the city and killed 28 men.
The assault may have been in retaliation for an earlier attack on the group’s military base the night before by suspected members of the Jamāʿat nuṣrat al-islām wal-muslimīn (Islam and Muslim Support Group) armed group.
The protection of civilians is essential
A Burkinabe government spokesman confirmed the opening of the investigation in a statement issued on Monday. The transitional authorities are “radically opposed to any form of abuse or violation of human rights for any reason” and reiterated their commitment to protect all civilians without distinction.
The High Commissioner has previously raised concerns with the authorities about possible risks to human rights related to the recruitment, arming and deployment of subsidiary armed forces of the defense and security forces in Burkina Faso.
“There is an urgent need to strengthen their vetting processes, their pre-deployment training in international human rights and humanitarian law, their effective supervision by security and defense forces, and guarantee inclusiveness and transparency during their recruitment,” Turk finished.
