Amnesty concerned about reports of abuses

Amnesty International has expressed concern about "consistent reports of restrictions to freedom of expression and assembly, violence against members of political parties, inhuman and cruel prison conditions, and widespread impunity" in Togo. It said that, in the run-up to legislative elections on 10 and 22 March, political parties should publicly commit themselves to safeguarding the human rights of all Togolese, as guaranteed by international human rights law and the Constitution. "Human rights are central to Togo's future political, economic and social development," the organization said in a statement issued on Thursday at the launch of a 'Human Rights Manifesto for Togo'. The statement can be read at www.amnesty.org "Togo will elect a new legislature in March. This election will not simply determine who governs the country but will provide the people of Togo with the opportunity to tell their political leaders what kind of society they want to live in," Amnesty said. "The conduct of the elections will also have an important impact on Togo's international reputation, including on foreign aid which was suspended in 1993, after elections were marred by irregularities and human rights abuses." According to Amnesty, hundreds of civilians and military personnel in Togo have been victims of extrajudicial executions over the past decade and the government is yet to investigate massacres perpetrated in 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1998. Torture and ill-treatment, Amnesty added, continue for those in custody, and conditions in many prisons are life-threatening. The March election was organised after the opposition boycotted the legislative polls in 1999. As a result of international pressure, Togo's government agreed to dissolve the National Assembly and organise the new elections, Amnesty added.