The State Delegation of Togo opened the review by pointing firstly to the recent legislative developments as well as to the 2019 Constitutional Reform which had strengthened the national institutions and the enjoyment of civil and political rights. Regarding the specific issues on the implementation of the ICCPR , the Delegation’s statement focused on the following points: an ongoing progress of empowerment of women in public life; prohibition of torture in line with article 7 ICCPR; the continued criminalisation of same-sex relationships; re-organization of the legal system to improve the independence of the judiciary and the impartiality of justice; and the 2019 amendments to the law governing freedom of assembly.

Even though Togo has undergone significant progress since its last report, several improvements were still required under the ICCPR. In particular, the Committee raised its concerns about the transitional justice model, especially regarding the lack of truth obtained by victims and the impunity of perpetrators of the 2005 violent events. Corruption and the independence of the judiciary, excessive use of force by security forces, violence and discrimination against women, or substantial restrictions to freedom of assembly were other important issues raised by the Committee. These were in line with the main priorities of Togolese civil society: impunity, political prisoners and the shrinking civic space in Togo.

The webcast is available here: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3

Transitional Justice Model

NGOs in Togo raised as one of their main concerns the impunity of perpetrators of the grave violations of human rights that took place in the State in 2005. An important number of victims obtained reparation by the state, but most of them lacked truth as perpetrators were still not identified.

Although already addressed in the Concluding Observations of 2011, the Committee raised the issue again to the Delegation. It stated that, from the three pillars that compose a transitional justice model (truth, justice and reparation), only reparation had been addressed by the State and not satisfactorily. More specifically, the Committee asked about the way in which victims obtained the truth vis-a-vis past crimes and about the state of play of criminal proceedings. The Committee insisted that reparation and truth should be adequately provided for by the state and not left at the families’ expense, as it could lead to impunity.

The Delegation ensured that truth had been established by hearings held by the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Committee. However, given the period of time already passed since the violations and the difficulty to identify their perpetrators, they had opted for a system of reconciliation based on reparative justice rather than on criminal justice. This meant that victims were entitled to obtain individual compensation for the human rights violations and, if not satisfied, resort to courts. Nevertheless, even if over 8700 victims obtained reparation according to the Delegation, the identity of perpetrators remains unclear in the majority of cases, leading to lack of truth and impunity, as claimed by several NGOs.

Corruption and independence of the judiciary

According to the 2019 World Corruption Watch, 55% of Togolese people think justice in the country is corrupted and 75% think corruption had increased in the preceding year. In view of it, the Committee requested information about any measures adopted by the State in order to fight corruption - especially among the judiciary, as the public perception of judges being bribed by lawyers exists. The Committee also asked the Delegation about any intended reforms of the judiciary, given the odd disciplinary procedures involving judges and the lack of autonomy of the public prosecutor office.

The Delegation alleged that the independence of the judiciary was ensured by the constitution and the different procedures of appointment of judges on the bench and in the public prosecutor office. However, the Organic Law on judicial appointments is under review to improve it. The Head of Delegation emphasized the robust anti-corruption mechanisms and the relatively high number of penalties, including for high-ranking public officials. He also presented the recent launch of a strategic plan to fight corruption which was subject to analysis in the subsequent 10-12 month frame.

Freedom of assembly

The Committee raised its concerns about the recent executive bill amending the 2011 Act on freedom of assembly. The amendment imposed substantial restrictions on this right, limiting for instance the freedom to assemble in public places or during certain time frames. After four UN Special Rapporteurs had sent a communication to the Togolese Government in 2019, the Committee insisted on the disproportionality of the law and requested the Delegation for any possibility to repeal the law and lift restrictions incompatible with the Covenant. The Committee also requested information regarding the civil society organizations involved in proposing amendments to this bill. Moreover, the Committee also raised its concerns about freedom of association regarding the procedure to receive formal acknowledgement by the state and its compatibility with ICCPR and a democratic system.

The Delegation justified these restrictions on the rights to association and assembly as a necessary check by the government to prevent gatherings with a terrorist or criminal goal. Regarding the formal acknowledgement for associations, the Delegation stated that it was compatible with ICCPR as it awards them with legal status so that they can exercise their activities freely. According to the Delegation, this formal check was justified as these associations are often used to cover up criminal, money laundering or other illegal activities, and serves to preserve the safety of the population.

However, according to civil society, it is a way to shrink civic space in the country, even before Covid-19 disrupted public life.

Recommendations of the Human Rights Committee

Concluding observations on Togo’s 5th periodic report were released the 29th July 2021. The State party was required to send, by 23rd July 2023 at the latest, information on the follow-up given to the following recommendations:

Fight against corruption

The State party should:

• Strengthen the High Authority for the Prevention and Fight against Corruption and related offenses and adopt a national strategy for fight against corruption.
• Provide members of the public prosecutor and law enforcement agencies with increased means to fight against corruption, in particular by providing them with continuing education programs and by allocating sufficient resources for them.
• Ensure that all acts of corruption are subject to independent and impartial investigations, and that those responsible, including high level officials of the State party and other personalities, are brought to justice and, if found guilty, punished as appropriate.
• Continue to carry out training activities and campaigns aimed at raising awareness among politicians, state officials, companies and the general public of the economic and social costs of corruption.

Torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment

The State party should:

• Revise the definition of torture provided in the Criminal Code to bring it into full compliance with article 7 of the Covenant.
• Give clear instructions to the heads of the security forces on the absolute prohibition of torture, its criminalization and the fact that the perpetrators of such acts will be prosecuted and give clear instructions to the public prosecutor to investigate and prosecute all acts of torture or ill-treatment.
• Adopt the necessary measures in order to remove as soon as possible the restrictions imposed on civil society organizations regarding the visits to places of detention.

Freedom of expression

The State party should:

• Revise the laws which set excessive limits to the content of speeches, in particular in the law on internal security, the law on cybercrime and the Press and Communication Code, to bring them into full compliance with article 19 of the Covenant.
• Refrain from intimidating, harassing, arresting, detaining and prosecuting for offences defined in vague terms journalists and human rights defenders exercising their right to freedom of expression.
• Ensure that all violations committed against journalists and human rights defenders are subject to thorough and impartial investigations in the shortest possible time, that those responsible are brought to justice and sentenced to penalties commensurate with the gravity of their acts, and that victims obtain reparation.
• Adopt all necessary measures, including legislative measures, in order to guarantee the full independence of the High Authority for the audiovisual and communication.