Mixed record on economic, social and cultural rights

Togo has undertaken some positive steps towards respecting some economic, social and cultural rights but it needs to improve on others, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights said on Friday at the end of its 25th session. The committee commended the government for establishing a national human rights commission in 1987 and creating a human rights ministry in 1992. It also praised continuing efforts by Togo to combat child trafficking and female genital mutilation.

It said, however, that it was concerned about the general deterioration of human rights, especially since a 1998 presidential election. Over the past three years there have been widespread reports of rapes, extrajudicial killings and house bombings. The government should also make a greater effort to promote children’s rights, the committee said.

It also said it was “concerned about the position of women in Togolese society, where they continued to face widespread discrimination, especially in relation to the rights of education, social security, family protection and in traditional law practices”.

The UN committee called on the Togolese authorities to address these issues and team up with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights with a view to eliminating the abuses.