vi.
vii.
The existence in the Burkinabe Criminal Code of alternative measures
applicable to minors under 18 who are found guilty, to ensure their
education, rehabilitation, placement under supervision and rehabilitation
assistance, in particular:
- Handing-over of minors to their families;
- Placement of minors under the care of a relative or a trustworthy
person;
- Placement of minors in a charitable, religious or private institution;
- Placement of minors in a specialized public institution.
The sensitization and training sessions conducted for criminal court
personnel in order to give effect to the law on the protection of delinquent
children and children in danger, and the increase in the number of juvenile
court judges from two in 2011 to seven in 2015.
Civil and political rights
7.
The Commission commends Burkina Faso for:
i.
ii.
The establishment on 28 January 2015 of the National Observatory for
Religious Affairs mandated to oversee religious media contents, monitor
the implementation of the regulation on cultural practices, promote
tolerance and inter-religious dialogue and strengthen the capacity of
religious leaders and media presenters with a religious and secular
background;
The establishment on 2 September 2015 of the National Observatory for the
prevention and management of community conflicts in Burkina Faso, with
the aim to pool the efforts of the various stakeholders, raise awareness and
empower the population towards conflict prevention and the peaceful
management of conflict.
Right to freedom of expression and access to information
8.
The Commission commends Burkina Faso for:
i.
ii.
iii.
The enactment of 3 (three) laws, which contain major innovations, on the
legal status of the print media, radio and television broadcasting and online media;
The adoption of a status for on-line media, the elimination of custodial
sentences for press offences committed by professional journalists which is
replaced with monetary penalties;
The enactment of the law of 30 August 2015 on the right of access to public
information and administrative documents, which establishes the principle
that all citizens have the right of access to information unless it impedes
5