UNHCR Appeals for Ban on Forced Returns to Burkina Faso amid Rising Humanitarian Crisis

Protecting the Vulnerable: UNHCR's Urgent Plea to Safeguard Displaced Individuals Amid Burkina Faso's Escalating Crisis

Meta Description: "As Burkina Faso's security situation deteriorates, UNHCR urges a halt on forced returns and appeals for international protection for those fleeing widespread human rights violations. Read on for detailed insights."

Women and children originating from Burkina Faso await registration by partners of the UNHCR in Côte d'Ivoire | © UNHCR/Insa Wawa Diatta

In a recent update from Geneva, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) urgently appeals to states to avoid forced repatriation of individuals from Burkina Faso, a region deeply impacted by an escalating humanitarian crisis. Elizabeth Tan, UNHCR’s Director of International Protection, expressed grave concern over the widespread insecurity and human rights violations rampant in Burkina Faso. 

The humanitarian crisis stems from the severe deterioration of the security situation, resulting in a multitude of atrocities against civilians, including mass killings, forced disappearances, and tortures. Particularly alarming is the predicament of children, vulnerable to recruitment by armed groups, exposure to child labor, and various forms of violence and abuse. Furthermore, the increased incidence of gender-based violence (GBV) impacts women and girls disproportionately. 

The escalating crisis has forced school closures, which surged from around 3,000 in November 2021 to 6,334 as of the end of March 2023. Forced marriages are reported frequently, and over half of Burkina Faso's children are estimated to be exposed to GBV or maltreatment, with the figure standing at 82% for girls. 

The widespread violence and displacement have culminated in a grim humanitarian situation, with an estimated 4.7 million people—more than 20% of the population—desperate for humanitarian assistance. Violent extremist groups have further aggravated conditions by blockading towns and destroying critical infrastructure.

As of June 2023, over 67,000 individuals from Burkina Faso sought refuge in neighboring countries like Mali, Niger, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, and Ghana. At the same time, an alarming number of over 2 million people are internally displaced, marking one of Africa's worst internal displacement crises.

Emphasizing the urgency for international protection, the UNHCR calls for upholding the principle of non-refoulement to protect those escaping from Burkina Faso from being forcibly returned to places where their lives and freedom are at risk. The UNHCR's advisory against forced returns will remain in effect until significant improvements in security and human rights conditions permit safe and dignified returns.

The UNHCR calls for global solidarity and support for the displaced populations from Burkina Faso and their host countries in addressing the profound humanitarian needs.

For more information, please contact Alpha Seydi Ba in Dakar at baalp@unhcr.org, +221 773 457 454, or Eujin Byun in Geneva at byun@unhcr.org, +41 79 747 87 19.

Source: 

UNHCR. (2023, July 28). UNHCR calls for ban on forced returns to Burkina Faso amid escalating humanitarian crisis. ReliefWeb. https://reliefweb.int/report/burkina-faso/unhcr-calls-ban-forced-returns-burkina-faso-amid-escalating-humanitarian-crisis