Burkina Faso Junta Dissolves 118 Human Rights Organizations in Major Crackdown

The military government has escalated its crackdown on civil society, recently dissolving 118 organizations, with many focusing on human rights advocacy. The authorities have invoked a law regarding freedom of association enacted in July 2025, yet they have provided little justification beyond ambiguous claims of noncompliance.

This latest move is part of a larger pattern of repression that emerged following the military coup in September 2022. Since that takeover, the regime has systematically targeted non-governmental organizations, independent media, and peaceful voices of opposition, significantly constricting the space for civic engagement. Numerous Burkinabè and international organizations, along with various media outlets, have faced suspension, bans, or expulsion, often on vague administrative grounds or in apparent retaliation for their criticisms.

Critics argue that these measures serve to stifle dissent and limit civic freedoms, masking their impact under a veil of security concerns as the nation grapples with ongoing threats from insurgent groups affiliated with Islamic State and Al-Qaeda.