Date of publication:

09/22/2026

Burkina Faso

Do domestic laws and policies provide for the exclusion from refugee status who are deemed ‘undeserving’ of international protection as refugees? 

ANALYSIS

Assessment by population

Refugees
Asylum-seekers
Analysis

Burkina Faso’s Law No. 042-2008/AN of 23 October 2008 contains exclusion criteria in Article 5, according to which refugee status will not be granted to individuals if there are serious reasons to believe they:

  • Have committed a crime of genocide, a crime against peace, a crime against humanity, or a war crimes.
  • Have committed a serious non-political crime outside Burkina Faso before being admitted as a refugee​.
  • Have been guilty of acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN)​.
    LAW & POLICY

    Related provisions of domestic law or policy

    Law No. 042-2008/AN of 2008 on the Status of Refugees in Burkina Faso
    • Year: 2008
    • Type: Domestic law
    • Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality, Integration & Public Affairs, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life
    • Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2008/fr/79997

    Legal provision

    Article 5 - Exclusion

    Les dispositions de la présente loi ne sont pas applicables aux personnes à l’égard desquelles des raisons sérieuses permettent de penser : - qu’elles ont commis un crime de génocide, un crime contre la paix, un crime contre l’humanité ou un crime de guerre ; - qu’elles ont commis un crime grave de droit commun en dehors du pays d’accueil, avant d’ y être admises comme réfugiées ; - qu’elles se sont rendues coupables d’agissements contraires aux objectifs et aux principes de l’Union africaine ; - qu’elles se sont rendues coupables d’agissements contraires aux buts et aux objectifs des Nations unies.