Burkina Faso

 

 

ADF recognized the potential of the Burkina Faso Human Rights Movement (Mouvement Burkinabè des Droits de l'Homme et des Peuples MBDHP), soon after its establishment in 1989.   

 

ADF worked with the MBDHP to improve its ability to effectively advocate for and defend human rights. MBDHP is now the largest and most visible human rights organization in Burkina Faso. 

 

MBDHP serves as an advocate for civil liberties and democracy by means of public enlightenment and has thirty regional chapters throughout the country. In addition to holding conferences, MBDHP publishes a journal, Liberté, addressing constitutional issues and human rights practices in Burkina Faso. Working on behalf of women, children, the disabled and other socially disadvantaged people, MBDHP has taken the lead in the advancement of human rights. Among its activities, MBDHP has supervised legislative elections, advocated on behalf of political prisoners and helped to free 400 prisoners between 1989 and 1991.

 

ADF also supported the early institutional development and programs of the Inter African Union for Human Rights (Union Interafricaine des Droits de l'Homme UIDH), founded by over thirty organizations representing 22 African countries. UIDH (http://membres.lycos.fr/uidh/), established in July 1992 with headquarters in Burkina Faso, provides a broad-based forum to coordinate actions on behalf of human rights, up to and including pressuring governments to cease human rights abuses. UIDH monitors the observance of human rights, including those human rights viewed as essential for economic, industrial and scientific progress; encourages research on human rights issues, and cooperation among organizations and national institutions dedicated to the promotion of human rights. UIDH is also involved in mediation in areas of conflict and human rights violations. UIDH accords African organizations a common voice with which to speak out on human rights and liberties around the continent.