Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders Annual Report 2003 - Togo

International Federation for Human Rights, Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders Annual Report 2003 - Togo, 14 April 2004, https://www.refworld.org/reference/annualreport/ifhr/2004/en/34123 [accessed 24 April 2024]
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Threats and harassment against ACAT-Togo68

At the end of January 2003, the Christians' Action for the Abolition of Torture (Action des chrétiens contre la torture – ACAT) produced a very critical report on human rights in Togo in 2002. This report was presented to the European Parliament as part of a debate on the human rights situation in Togo to take place during the Parliamentary session of the Committee on Development and Cooperation on 19th February 2003.

On 13th February the chairman of ACAT-Togo, Mr. Yannick Koffigan Bigah, was summoned by the minister of Justice and the Interior minister and was required to explain this report. He was also summoned by the Head of State. Fearing for his own safety, Mr. Koffigan Bigah decided to leave the country.

The members of ACAT-Togo continue to be subjected to intimidation following the departure of their chairman (anonymous phone calls, shadowing, etc.) by individuals in civilian dress.

[Refworld note: This report as posted on the FIDH website (www.fidh.org) was in pdf format with country chapters run together by region. Footnote numbers have been retained here, so do not necessarily begin at 1.]

68. See Urgent Appeal TGO 001/0203/OBS 009.

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