were more likely to be removed from their BACKGROUND families. President Kaboré, re-elected for a second In June, the Supreme Administrative Court term in late 2020, adopted a policy of found the leader of the Bulgarian National dialogue and engagement with some of the Movement party, Krasimir Karakachanov, armed groups in Burkina Faso’s northern guilty of discrimination over his controversial region. Yet the armed conflict continued to statements following incidents in Voyvodinovo rage. Widespread demonstrations followed a in 2019, which triggered widespread anti- massacre of civilians in the town of Solhan in Roma violence that resulted in the June, leading to the sacking of the defence destruction of homes and the forced eviction minister. In December, following an attack of Roma families. against a gendarmerie post in Inata which led CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING to protests over the security situation, the TREATMENT government resigned and a new prime minister was nominated. The authorities failed to eradicate the The humanitarian situation remained persistent physical ill-treatment of social care precarious; the number of internally residents and patients with psychiatric displaced people (IDPs) rose from about 1 disorders. In October, the Council of Europe’s million in January to 1,368,000 in July, Committee for the Prevention of Torture according to UNHCR, the UN refugee reported numerous cases of people being agency. slapped, punched, kicked or hit with sticks, ABUSES BY ARMED GROUPS mechanically restrained or found abandoned in unhygienic conditions. The Committee The conflict that raged in northern and called for urgent action to radically change eastern Burkina Faso continued to affect the the country’s approach to mental and lives of civilians and hinder their activities. institutional social care. Some attacks by armed groups were carried out indiscriminately and therefore may 1. “Bulgaria: Presidential candidate must be investigated and held constitute war crimes. The town of Mansila, Yagha province, accountable after attack on LGBTI centre”, 1 November remained under a blockade by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) BURKINA FASO throughout the year, leading to mass displacement and food insecurity among the Burkina Faso population. Head of state: Roch Marc Christian Kaboré In April, a civilian-military convoy Head of government: Lassina Zerbo (replaced documenting poaching in the Pama reserve, Christophe Joseph Marie Dabiré in December) Kompienga province, was ambushed by an armed group. According to governmental Armed groups continued to launch deadly sources, three foreign journalists and one attacks against civilians, including children. Burkinabe national were killed. The right to education and the right to In May, an armed group killed 30 villagers health were compromised and cases of during an attack in Kodyel, Komondyari sexual violence were reported in the context province. of the conflict. Impunity for serious human In June, an unidentified armed group rights violations and abuses remained attacked positions of the Volunteers for the pervasive. Authorities threatened press Defence of the Homeland, an auxiliary force freedom. to the military, at the entrance of the town of Solhan, Yagha province, before overrunning the town and indiscriminately killing residents. At least 132 people were killed in Amnesty International Report 2021/22 106