The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint initiative by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), has received alarming updates regarding the situation of Maître Ini Benjamine Esther Doli in Burkina Faso.

Recent reports confirm the conviction and ongoing arbitrary imprisonment of Maître Ini Benjamine Esther Doli, a prominent lawyer and advocate for human rights. Previously serving as a deputy prosecutor in Bobo-Dioulasso and a government commissioner at the Ouagadougou Administrative Court, she has been a registered member of the Burkina Faso Bar Association since mid-2024.

Conviction for social media activity

On November 10, 2025, during a closed-door hearing, the Ouagadougou High Court found Ini Benjamine Esther Doli guilty of “insulting the head of state” and “attempting to demoralize the armed forces.” These charges stemmed from opinions shared on her Facebook account. The court handed down a one-year firm prison sentence and a fine of 1,000,000 F.CFA (roughly 1,525 Euros). While she was cleared of “treason” charges, Maître Doli has filed an appeal. She currently remains held in the women’s section of the Ouagadougou civil prison.

Ini Benjamine Esther Doli

Abduction and judicial harassment

Maître Ini Benjamine Esther Doli was forcibly taken from her home in Ouagadougou during the early hours of September 1, 2025. Armed men identifying themselves as national gendarmes carried out the abduction shortly after her return from a trip abroad. Her final social media post before the incident contrasted the current political climate with the era of Thomas Sankara, criticizing the use of force against the population and the bypassing of formal justice systems.

As an advocate, Maître Doli frequently used her platform to highlight violations of free speech, the kidnapping of activists, and systemic failures within the Burkina Faso judiciary. She argued that the legal system faced constant interference and lacked the independence necessary to protect citizens’ rights. In one post, she described the use of taxpayer-funded weapons to silence and terrorize the public as an act of cowardice.

A broader pattern of repression

The Observatory notes that this case is not isolated. Other defenders, such as Maître Guy Hervé Kam, have faced similar arbitrary detentions. Burkina Faso is currently experiencing a significant crackdown on civil society, journalists, and anyone critical of the ruling military authorities. Recent victims of enforced disappearances and abductions include Amadou Sawadogo, Miphal Ousmane Lankoandé, and investigative journalist Atiana Serge Oulon, the latter of whom remains missing.

Urgent calls for action

The Observatory strongly condemns the sentencing of Maître Ini Benjamine Esther Doli, viewing it as a direct retaliation for her legitimate human rights work and her exercise of free expression. The following actions are requested from the military authorities in Burkina Faso:

• Immediate release: Ensure the unconditional freedom of Maître Ini Benjamine Esther Doli and all other arbitrarily detained human rights defenders.
• Safety guarantees: Protect the physical and psychological safety of all activists and legal professionals in the country.
• Accountability: Launch a transparent investigation into the abduction of Maître Doli and other victims of enforced disappearance to identify those responsible.
• Legal compliance: Adhere to international human rights standards, specifically the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which protect the freedoms of speech and association.

International observers and human rights organizations continue to monitor the situation, urging the authorities to respect the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.