Universal⁤ Periodic Review ‌(UPR): ‍Burkinabè ⁢MPs Take Ownership of Recommendations

This Wednesday, September 4, 2024, in Ouagadougou, the delegates of the ⁤Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT) took part in the⁢ restoration of⁢ the results of Burkina Faso’s trip to the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic ⁢Review (UPR). These​ recommendations ​aim, among other things, to⁣ improve the legal​ framework and ‍protect human rights.

The ‍Ministry of Justice⁤ and Human Rights, ⁤in partnership with ⁢the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for ​Human Rights, presented the recommendations⁢ resulting from this‍ fourth UPR⁢ to the delegates‌ of the Transitional ⁣Legislative Assembly.

Regarding the content ⁢of these recommendations, Béopoadi Sinini, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Justice, said that 265 recommendations‌ have been​ made ​to Burkina Faso. Of this number, 206 recommendations were received by the country and 59 were notified.​ The recommendations received relate to strengthening the legal and institutional framework for​ human ⁣rights and strengthening⁤ cooperation ‍with international organizations‍ for the promotion and protection‍ of human⁢ rights.

“This exercise allowed Burkina Faso to⁤ reaffirm its commitment‌ to respecting its⁢ commitments in terms of human ⁢rights, especially in the context​ of⁣ the fight against terrorism that it has been facing for almost ten years‍ now. Particular emphasis was placed⁢ on measures ⁤taken to align anti-terrorism actions with the country’s‌ human rights commitments,” explained‌ Béopoadi Sinini.

Marcel Zongo, Director General of ‌Human Rights, suggested that returning these‌ recommendations to ALT deputies⁢ would ⁣allow them​ to ‌support the Ministry of ⁤Justice⁢ to improve ⁤human rights. For him, these recommendations can be proposals for legislative texts that address aspects of the recommendations of the⁢ fourth UPR.

Lassina Guitty, MP in ⁢the ALT, recognized that many ⁢of these recommendations‌ needed legislative ‍reform. “The contribution of the MPs will ‌be⁤ to check whether⁢ human rights issues are considered in the ⁤laws⁤ that the government⁢ takes. We can call on the‌ ministers⁤ to⁣ see what their contribution is and draw their attention to the ⁣need to take⁣ this or that action within the‌ implementation ⁤of this or⁣ that recommendation. There is also the budgetary question, we ‍can also see that ‌issues related to human rights are taken into account when budgeting,”⁢ he explained.

The universal periodic review makes it possible to examine the human rights situation in the 193 member states of the ‍United Nations every 4 and a half years. After⁣ 2008, ​2013, ⁣2018, on November 6, 2023, Burkina Faso submitted for the fourth ⁤time to this ⁢UPR. The country recorded a rate of 88.04% during the 3rd cycle.

Key Takeaways

• 265 recommendations were made to​ Burkina Faso, with 206 received and 59 notified.
• The recommendations aim‌ to improve the legal ⁤framework and​ protect⁢ human rights.
• The universal⁤ periodic review examines the human rights ⁤situation in the 193 member states of​ the United Nations every⁣ 4 and a half years.