OHCHR / BURKINA FASO

STORY:
TRT: 02:57
SOURCE: OHCHR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: FRENCH / ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 06 APRIL 2023 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND


SHOTLIST:

1. Wide shot, exterior Palais Wilson
2. Med shot, exterior entrance Palais Wilson
3. Close up, entrance Palais Wilson
4. SOUNDBITE (French) Ravina Shamdasani, Porte-Parole du Haut-Commissariat des Droits de l’Homme (HCDH):
"Nous sommes extrêmement inquiets par les nouvelles restrictions imposées aux médias et à l'espace civique au Burkina Faso à la suite de la suspension de médias et l'expulsion de deux correspondants étrangers du pays."
5. SOUNDBITE (French) Ravina Shamdasani, Porte-Parole du Haut-Commissariat des Droits de l’Homme (HCDH):
"En cette période de transition, la protection et l’indépendances des médias est essentiel, afin de soutenir l'obligation de rendre des comptes, de permettre un contrôle et de laisser au peuple burkinabé l'espace nécessaire pour construire ensemble une société résiliente, stable et inclusive."
6. SOUNDBITE (French) Ravina Shamdasani, Porte-Parole du Haut-Commissariat des Droits de l’Homme (HCDH):
"Les activités de toutes les organisations de la société civile et des partis politiques ont été suspendues dans le pays."
7. SOUNDBITE (French) Ravina Shamdasani, Porte-Parole du Haut-Commissariat des Droits de l’Homme (HCDH):
"Et en conséquence, un certain nombre de mesures ont été prises pour restreindre le travail des médias."
8. SOUNDBITE (French) Ravina Shamdasani, Porte-Parole du Haut-Commissariat des Droits de l’Homme (HCDH) :
"Nous sommes particulièrement préoccupés par le fait que l’une des journalistes ait été expulsés à la suite de son reportage sur une vidéo qui semble montrer des exécutions extrajudiciaires d'enfants dans la ville de Ouahigouya, dans le nord du pays."
9. SOUNDBITE (French) Ravina Shamdasani, Porte-Parole du Haut-Commissariat des Droits de l’Homme (HCDH):
"Lorsque des allégations aussi graves sont révélées, il est du devoir des autorités de mener rapidement des enquêtes approfondies, impartiales et transparentes afin de s'assurer que les responsables sont traduits en justice."
10. Wide shot, Palais Wilson
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“We are deeply troubled by restrictions on media and civic space in Burkina Faso after the suspension of media outlets and expulsion of two foreign correspondents, amid wider curbs against freedom of expression in the country.”
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“In this period of transition, protection of independent voices is more necessary than ever – to enable scrutiny, to facilitate accountability, and to allow the space for the Burkinabé people to build a resilient, stable, and inclusive society together.”
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“The activities of all civil society organisations and political parties have been suspended in the country.”
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“We are particularly concerned that a journalist was expelled following the reporting on a video that appears to show extrajudicial executions of children in the northern town of Ouahigouya.”
15. SOUNDBITE (English) Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
“When such grave allegations come to light, it is the duty of the authorities to promptly hold thorough, impartial and transparent investigations to establish the facts and, if applicable, ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.”

STORYLINE

Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the High Commissioner for Human Rights made the following statement on Burkina Faso.
"We are deeply troubled by restrictions on media and civic space in Burkina Faso after the suspension of media outlets and expulsion of two foreign correspondents, amid wider curbs against freedom of expression in the country” Ravina Shamdasani said.

“In this period of transition, protection of independent voices is more necessary than ever – to enable scrutiny, to facilitate accountability, and to allow the space for the Burkinabé people to build a resilient, stable, and inclusive society together” she added.

“The activities of all civil society organisations and political parties have been suspended in the country” she said.

Following this, there have been a number of steps taken to restrict the work of the media. In December, the Government suspended transmission of Radio France International. On 27 March, France24 broadcasts were switched off in Burkina Faso. And just last week, two journalists from the newspapers Le Monde and Libération were expelled, following interrogation by intelligence services.

“We are particularly concerned that a journalist was expelled following the reporting on a video that appears to show extrajudicial executions of children in the northern town of Ouahigouya,” she said.

“When such grave allegations come to light, it is the duty of the authorities to promptly hold thorough, impartial and transparent investigations to establish the facts and, if applicable, ensure that those responsible are brought to justice” Ravina Shamdasani said.
The UN Human Rights Office in Burkina Faso will continue to work with the authorities, civil society and other partners towards strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.