Prominent Human Rights Defender Abducted in Burkina Faso

Daouda Diallo's abduction seen as part of military government's alleged efforts to silence dissent through forced conscription.

Daouda Diallo, a prominent human rights defender and 2022 recipient of the Martin Ennals international human rights award, was abducted on Friday in Burkina Faso’s capital of Ouagadougou.
Diallo's abduction is believed to be an attempt by the military government to forcibly conscript him into the security forces, following a controversial 'general mobilization' decree.
The decree, aimed at recapturing territories lost to jihadi attacks, is also being used to target and silence individuals who have openly criticized the junta, according to Human Rights Watch.
At least a dozen journalists, civil society activists and opposition party members were informed by the government in November that they would be conscripted, including Diallo.
Diallo, a pharmacist turned activist, has been recognized for his work in documenting abuses and protecting people’s rights in Burkina Faso, where security forces have been fighting jihadi violence for many years.