Burkina Faso: arbitrary detention of human rights lawyer ini benjamine esther doli sparks global outrage

The legal community and human rights advocates worldwide are rallying in response to the unjust condemnation and continued arbitrary detention of Ini Benjamine Esther Doli, a prominent Burkinabè lawyer and human rights defender, by the military authorities in Burkina Faso.

a landmark case of judicial repression

On November 10, 2025, the Ouagadougou Court of First Instance delivered a verdict against Maître Doli, finding her guilty of ‘contempt of the Head of State’ (Article 352-2 of the Penal Code) and ‘attempting to demoralize the armed forces’ (Article 312-11 of the Penal Code). These accusations stem from critical remarks she posted on her Facebook account, where she highlighted systemic injustices and the erosion of judicial independence in Burkina Faso. The court sentenced her to one year of imprisonment and a fine of 1,000,000 F.CFA (approximately €1,525).

Despite filing an appeal, Maître Doli remains held in the women’s section of the Ouagadougou Civil Prison, where she continues to receive legal counsel, family visits, and necessary medical attention. Her detention has drawn sharp criticism from international human rights organizations, who condemn the proceedings as a blatant violation of fundamental rights, particularly the right to freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial.

a timeline of persecution and resistance

The legal and civil society sectors mourn the systematic crackdown on dissenting voices in Burkina Faso. Maître Doli’s ordeal began on August 31, 2025, when she was forcibly abducted from her home in Ouagadougou by individuals claiming to be members of the national gendarmerie. This incident occurred shortly after her return from an international trip, during which she had publicly criticized the military regime’s handling of justice and human rights violations.

Her final Facebook post before the abduction read: ‘Brussels Airlines has just landed at Ouagadougou Airport […] Thomas Sankara once led a revolution, but we have seen nothing of the horrors unfolding today! At least he established people’s courts to try those accused of crimes, without substituting justice for arbitrary brutality against the people.’

Prior to her arrest, Maître Doli was a vocal advocate for judicial integrity and the protection of human rights defenders. Through her social media presence, she consistently exposed intimidation, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial abuses perpetrated against citizens, particularly those defending justice and fundamental rights. She also highlighted the judicial system’s dysfunction, citing delays, lack of independence, and persistent threats to the rule of law.

On September 4, 2025, the Burkina Faso Bar Association was notified of the impending charges against her. By September 6, the prosecutor’s office had announced an investigation into her Facebook posts for alleged ‘treason’ (Article 311-2), ‘contempt of the Head of State’, and ‘attempting to demoralize the armed forces’.

a broader assault on civil society and free speech

Maître Doli’s case is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern of repression targeting human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society leaders in Burkina Faso. Several other defenders have faced similar fates:

Guy Hervé Kam, a co-founder of the Balai Citoyen movement and fellow human rights lawyer, was arrested in January 2024 at Ouagadougou International Airport upon his return from a professional trip. Despite temporary releases, he remains arbitrarily detained on charges of ‘conspiracy and criminal association’.
Amadou Sawadogo, a member of the Balai Citoyen, was forcibly disappeared on March 21, 2025, and later released on May 26, 2025.
Miphal Ousmane Lankoandé, the movement’s executive secretary, was abducted on March 30, 2025, and remains missing.
Journalists Boukary Ouoba, Luc Pagbeguem, and Guezouma Sanogo were kidnapped on March 24, 2025; Boukary Ouoba and Luc Pagbeguem were freed on July 17, 2025, while Guezouma Sanogo was released on July 21, 2025.
Atiana Serge Oulon, an investigative journalist and editor of the prominent publication L’Événement, was abducted on June 24, 2024, and remains missing.

These incidents underscore a deliberate strategy to silence critics and dismantle civil society in Burkina Faso. The systematic use of abductions, forced disappearances, and arbitrary detentions reflects a broader effort to stifle dissent and undermine democratic values.

international calls for justice and immediate action

Human rights organizations are demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Maître Ini Benjamine Esther Doli and all other arbitrarily detained defenders. They urge the military authorities to:

Uphold the physical and psychological integrity of detained human rights defenders and ensure their access to legal representation and family visits.
Cease all forms of judicial harassment against defenders of human rights and journalists.
Launch transparent investigations into the abductions and forced disappearances of civil society members, including Maître Doli, and hold the perpetrators accountable.
Guarantee fundamental freedoms, particularly freedom of expression and association, in line with Burkina Faso’s obligations under international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

how you can take action

Global solidarity is critical in pressuring the military regime to respect human rights and the rule of law. Advocates are urged to contact the following Burkinabè authorities to demand justice for Maître Doli and other victims of repression:

Captain Ibrahim Traore – President of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguarding and Restoration (MPSR II) | @CapitaineIb22
Jean-Emmanuel Ouédraogo – Prime Minister of Burkina Faso | @J_E_Ouedraogo
Edasso Rodrigue Bayala – Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Keeper of the Seals | Email: [email protected]
Jean Marie Karamoko Traore – Minister of Foreign Affairs | Email: [email protected] | @JeanMarieTraore
National Human Rights Commission of Burkina Faso | Email: [email protected] | @BurkinaCndhX
Sabine Bakyono Kanzie – Permanent Representative of Burkina Faso to the UN and International Organizations in Geneva | Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Oumarou Ganou – Permanent Representative of Burkina Faso to the UN in New York | Email: [email protected]
Permanent Mission of Burkina Faso to the African Union | Email: [email protected] / [email protected]