Definitive Report - Report No 70, 1963

1. 24. The complaint of the Pan-African Union of Christian Workers (U.P.T.C) is contained in a telegram dated 14 February 1963. The Government, to whom the text of the telegram was communicated, forwarded its observations on the subject by a letter dated 25 March 1963. In addition by a letter dated 11 April 1953, the International Federation of Christian Trade Unions, (I.F.C.T.U) supplied further information concerning the matters raised in the complaint of the U.P.T.C.
2. 25. Upper Volta has ratified both the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98).

A. A. The complainants' allegations

1. 26. According to the U.P.T.C's complaint a number of trade unionists belonging to the African Confederation of Christian Workers - among them Messrs. Joseph Ouédraogo and Frédéric Guirma - had been arrested in Upper Volta. The complainants refrained from giving any further details, and in particular gave no indication as to what reasons might lie behind these alleged measures. Although informed of their right to submit additional information in support of their complaint, the complainants have failed to do so.
2. 27. As the complaint none the less alleges the arrest of persons referred to by name, and makes an issue of their trade union status, the text was communicated to the Government for its observations in accordance with the procedure for dealing with urgent cases.
3. 28. In its reply dated 25 March 1963 the Government declared first of all that no trade unionist had, as such, been the subject of legal proceedings. While acknowledging that Messrs. Ouédraogo and Guirma had had to be brought to court, it stated that this was purely for reasons of domestic policy. The Government went on to declare that the two persons in question no longer held trade union office, the former having surrendered his three years ago " when he was able to take his seat again as a member of the Upper Volta National Assembly ", and the latter on taking up his duties as Ambassador in Washington.
4. 29. Following on the observations of the Government, the I.F.C.T.U, on behalf of the U.P.T.C, informed the Director-General that the trade unionists who had been arrested in Upper Volta-in particular Messrs. Ouédraogo and Guirma-had since been released by order of the Government. The I.F.C.T.U added that " the Pan-African Union deeply appreciates the speedy I.L.O intervention with which the release of our comrades is certainly not unconnected, and sends you its sincere thanks ".