U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of Burkina Faso
As Delivered by Mr. Jesse Lynch
U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of Burkina Faso
44th Session
As Delivered by Mr. Jesse Lynch
Thank you, Mr. Vice President,
The United States welcomes the delegation from Burkina Faso, led by His Excellency Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, Minister of Justice and Human Rights. We express sincere condolences to the people of Burkina Faso who have been victimized by violent extremist groups.
In the spirit of cooperation, we recommend that Burkina Faso:
- Investigate human rights violations and abuses committed during security operations in Karma in April 2023 and in Nouna in December 2022, publicly release the findings, and hold the perpetrators to account.
- Ensure security force operations, including those in conjunction or cooperation with Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) forces, are implemented in compliance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law, as applicable.
- Repeal portions of the Criminal Code that violate the right to freedom of expression to ensure journalists and human rights defenders can do their jobs free from fear, harassment, or intimidation.
- Recommit to implementing the 1994 International Conference on Development (ICPD) Programme of Action, including through the national commitments made at the Nairobi Summit (ICPD25), work to achieve the health-and gender-related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals, and withdraw from the Geneva Consensus Declaration.
I thank you.
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