Geneva, Switzerland, December 8, 2017/ — UN experts from the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention are calling on the authorities in Burkina Faso to release immediately Mr Djibril Yipéné Bassolé, who was arrested in September 2015.
Mr Bassolé, who is 60 and a former Minister of Security, was detained after a failed coup. He was accused of supporting the attempt to overthrow the Government and charged with attacking state security and colluding with a foreign power. He has always denied the charges.
In April 2017, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) examined his detention, determined it was arbitrary, and called at the time for his release.
Mr Bassolé, who had twice served as the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, was removed from prison and placed under house arrest two months ago. His lawyers asked the Working Group to issue a new opinion on his detention, but this request was rejected.
However, the Working Group said: “Although the conditions of his detention may have changed, the deprivation of liberty has not ceased. We call on the Government of Burkina Faso to respect international standards and release Mr Bassolé now.”
The Government of Burkina Faso asked for the opinion to be reviewed but the Working Group has concluded that the request does not meet its threshold for such a review, and is insisting that Mr Bassolé should have his freedom immediately.
African Eye Report
