In Burkina Faso, are requisitions for the anti-jihadist front legal? Several requisitioned civil society figures had requested the suspension of this measure decided by the junta, officially to fight against terrorism. The emergency judge rejected this request on Monday, November 20.
Published on :
2 mins
The summary judge did not accept the request of several personalities from civil society nor that of the former minister, Ablassé Ouedraogo. All had filed an appeal to suspend their requisition within the auxiliary Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP), a requisition decided by the transitional authorities, officially to serve the fight against armed and terrorist groups, but the organizations of the Rather, civil society and unions denounce it as a means of silencing critical voices.
Among these critical voices that the courts have just dismissed, there are those of Rasmané Zinaba and Bassirou Badjo, two members of Balai Citoyen, requisitioned at the beginning of November, the journalist and veteran of the profession, Issaka Lingani, as well as his younger colleague, Yacouba Ladji Bama.
Also included are Dr Daouda Diallo who chairs the Collective against impunity and stigmatization of communities, the secretary general of the Democratic Youth Organization of Burkina Faso (ODJ, Gabin Korbéogo, and also the president of the party Le Faso Otherwise , Blasted Ouedraogo.
Last July, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, now 70 years old, accused the junta of “ violation of human rights » and already denounced the requisitions of “ citizens threatened, muzzled and forcibly recruited into the VDP » for their freedom of expression!
To justify the rejection of their request to suspend their requisition, the emergency judge explained that she did not have this power since it was a question of national security.
For Me Prosper Farama, one of the lawyers for the new enlistees, these requisitions “ are in reality a sanction » against his clients. The lawyers have already announced that they will appeal this court decision.
Read alsoBurkina Faso: 53 soldiers and army auxiliaries killed in an attack by suspected jihadists