Burkina Faso has recently enacted a decree for the establishment of a military correctional facility in Ouagadougou. According to the government, the current facility is too small and no longer meets the standards for accommodating individuals by prescribed norms.
The adoption of this decree will enable the military justice system to adhere to facility standards, the government states. However, this decision has raised concerns among some human rights advocates.
The Burkinabe government’s decree paves the way for the establishment of annex detention centers outside of the current facilities.
According to the government spokesperson, the current military detention center has not significantly evolved since its inception. The premises have become cramped and do not allow for compliance with standards aimed at preventing contact between certain detainees, the government explains.
For human rights advocates, this decision raises fears of the possibility of creating secret detention centers, “especially when they cannot be located,” expresses concern the head of a human rights organization.
Since Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power, civilians and military personnel have been arrested without their families knowing their whereabouts.
Among these individuals are former Chief of Staff of the National Gendarmerie, Lieutenant Colonel Evrard Somda, and former military prosecutor, Commander Alphonse Zorma.