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.