Public Protest in Burkina Faso Caused 24 Deaths, 625 Injured – Official report

The uprising in Burkina Faso that ousted ex-President, Blaise Compaore has caused the death of 24 persons and injuries to 625 others, an official report has said.

Report of an Ad Hoc Committee on Human Rights Violations during the October 30 and 31 public protest said there were several cases of violations on public and private property.

The report signed by the committee’s Chairman, Clarisse Ouoba, said that scores of persons were still receiving treatment in hospitals across the country due to injuries sustained during the protest.

“Officially we identified 14 cases of infringement on public property and no fewer than 260 cases of violations on private property across the country.

“The protest ignited riots in some prisons, causing some inmates to attempt escape, the injuries are indeed regrettable,’’ said the report, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

It recommended sustained public awareness campaign against violent public uprising and the adoption of a national day in honour of the victims.

According to the report, the committee had no mandate to investigate or invoke sanctions against the acts of human rights abuses during the protest.

NAN reports that a public uprising around major streets in Burkina Faso against Compaore’s planned constitutional amendment forced him to resign from office.

Compaore who reigned for 27 years became president following a 1987 coup that killed the then president Thomas Sankara.

After a few weeks of military rule led by Col. Isaac Zida, Burkina Faso has appointed Michael Kafando as its Interim President.

The country has scheduled to return to constitutional democracy before the end of 2015.

Photo Credit: BBC