Authorities in Togo must end their escalating crackdown on human rights including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly amid political tension around the adoption of changes to the constitution, as Togolese vote in parliamentary and regional elections today, Amnesty International said.
"In Togo, dissenting voices can no longer enjoy their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. It has been difficult, if not impossible, to contribute freely to the debate on the new constitution without fear of reprisals including arbitrary detention, despite repeated commitments by the authorities to guarantee human rights", said Samira Daoud, Amnesty International's regional director for West and Central Africa.
The authorities must respect, protect, promote, and fulfil the human rights of everyone in the country, including those who disagree with them.Samira Daoud, Amnesty International's regional director for West and Central Africa