In a continuing pattern of harassment and intimidation, six members of a coaltion of political parties, human rights organizations, trade unions, journalists’ and students’ organizations – campaigning to end impunity for human rights violations in Burkina Faso – have been arrested since 10 April 2000. The names of those arrested are: Halidou Ouédraogo, Tolé Sagnon, Norbert Tiendrébéogo, Me Bénéwendé Sankara, Dr Pierre Bidima, Etienne Traoré. All have been subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment by having their heads shaved in police detention. They are held by the Direction de la compagnie d’intervention rapide (DCIR), the police rapid deployment force and have been denied visits.