On January 13, 2022, students from the Nazi Boni University clashed with police after a general assembly suddenly turned into a protest. Police reportedly fired tear gas and live ammunition when students barricaded streets with rocks and burning tires. Sources indicate that some students were seriously injured.
Scholars at Risk is concerned by violence during a campus protest, including especially reports of live ammunition being fired at student protesters. While state security forces have a responsibility to maintain safety and order, they also have a responsibility to ensure that their actions are proportionate and are not intended to restrict or retaliate against nonviolent expressive activity. Likewise, while students have rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, they should exercise those rights peacefully and responsibly.
Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED).
https://www.aib.media/2022/01/14/bobo-dioulasso-universite-nazi-boni-une-marche-des-etudiants-transformee-en-course-poursuite-avec-la-police/
https://minute.bf/universite-nazi-boni-des-osc-exigent-une-enquete-sur-la-violence-deployee-contre-les-etudiants/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74ziXAAIB4k