Amnesty International condemns killing of 14 unarmed protesters

Amnesty International Nigeria today, describes as cold blooded, Burkina Faso’s former presidential guard who killed 14 unarmed protestors and bystanders and injured hundreds more with automatic weapons following last month’s coup d’état.

According to Amnesty International, General Gilbert Diendere, who led the coup, and General Djibril Bassole, former Foreign Minister, had been arrested and charged with crimes including attacking state security and murder, while members of the Regiment de sécurité présidentielle (RSP) are being reintegrated into the national army.

 Investigation carried out by Amnesty International, into the deaths of people killed in the days following the September 16, coup discovered that 14 protestors and bystanders were killed by automatic weapons fire from members of the RSP. None of those killed, including two children, were armed.

Alioune Tine, Amnesty International West Africa director said:  “For soldiers to gun down large numbers of unarmed protestors, including children, with automatic weapons, is an outrageous use of force amounting to a crime under international law! RSP members have long enjoyed impunity, despite being at the heart of grave human rights violations. Independent investigations are needed to bring those suspected of criminal responsibility to justice, in fair trials without recourse to the death penalty.”  

It was gathered that out of the 14 killed in Ouagadougou between 16 and 20 September, six had been involved in peaceful demonstrations against the coup d’état. Numerous eyewitnesses confirmed that, on several occasions, protestors were holding their hands in the air. Despite this clear display of their peaceful intent, soldiers opened fire on them without warning.

On 17 September, for example, RSP members arrived at a protest in front of the traditional king Moogho Naaba’s palace, and began shooting in the air and towards the crowd. Two people were shot dead in the square and a journalist present described how fleeing protesters were pursued by soldiers.

Tine said: “As people ran away they were chased by the RSP on a motorbike and shots were fired. One protestor fell down; he was hit at the back of his neck. Blood ran out of his neck and mouth…he died later.”

 Medical evidence seen by Amnesty International from a number of incidents shows that six of those killed were shot in the back. Eyewitnesses confirmed they had been shot whilst running away from security forces. Others were shot in the head, chest and thorax, indicating that soldiers who had opened fire had not attempted to minimise fatal injury.