National Assembly – a “state of emergency” in the aftermath of an act of terrorism against the territory. In such a state of emergency, the authorities could impose blanket bans on public rallies, meetings and demonstrations without any effective and independent oversight. The bill additionally provided a list of administrative control measures, including travel bans and controls of individuals’ freedom of movement and association, that could be applied to anyone suspected of “preparing or planning a terrorist act”. Non-refoulement Bulgaria violated the international legal principle of non-refoulement in August. The police apprehended Abdullah Buyuk, a Turkish national who had been residing in Bulgaria since late 2015, and secretly handed him over to Turkish authorities. The authorities acted on the basis of an Interpol warrant, issued at the request of the Turkish government seeking Abdullah Buyuk’s extradition on charges of money laundering and terrorism in association with the Gulenist movement. Abdullah Buyuk’s lawyer said that he had not been given an opportunity to contact legal counsel or his family, or otherwise challenge the transfer. His request for asylum in Bulgaria had been rejected only days before the handover, which took place despite two earlier court rulings blocking his extradition. In March 2016, Sofia City Court and the Bulgarian Court of Appeal had ruled that Abdullah Buyuk should not be extradited stating that the charges appeared to be politically motivated and that Turkey could not guarantee him a fair trial. The Ombudsman’s Office stated publicly that Abdullah Buyuk’s return to Turkey had contravened the Bulgarian Constitution, domestic law and Bulgaria’s international legal obligations. 1. Bulgaria: Proposed counter-terrorism bill would be a serious step back for human rights (EUR 15/4545/2016) 98 BURKINA FASO Burkina Faso Head of state: Roch Marc Christian Kaboré Head of government: Paul Kaba Thiéba (replaced Yacouba Isaac Zida in January) The political turmoil of the previous two years largely receded. Armed groups committed abuses. The rates of maternal mortality as well as early and forced marriage remained high, although the government began to address the issues. BACKGROUND In September the government established a commission to draft a new Constitution to usher in the “Fifth Republic”. MILITARY TRIBUNAL In June, the military tribunal indicted 14 people, including former President Blaise Compaoré, suspected of involvement in the assassination of President Thomas Sankara in 1987. Seven people, including Colonel Alidou Guebré and Caporal Wampasba Nacouma, were arrested in October and charged. In May, Burkina Faso issued an international arrest warrant for the former President and another of those indicted who were living in exile. Between July and October, 38 of 85 people charged with threatening state security, crimes against humanity and murder following a coup attempt in September 2015 were provisionally released, including journalists Caroline Yoda and Adama Ouédraogo. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Djibril Bassolé and General Gilbert Dienderé remained in custody awaiting trial by the military tribunal. In April, the authorities lifted the international arrest warrant for Guillaume Soro, President of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire, who had been investigated for alleged involvement in the attempted coup. Amnesty International Report 2016/17