Authorities in Togo have repressed the media and prevented civilians from gathering to protest peacefully, Amnesty Worldwide mentioned in a report printed Wednesday, forward of parliamentary elections scheduled to happen on the finish of this month.
Amnesty Worldwide mentioned in its annual report on human rights world wide that two newspapers in Togo have been pressured to shut for a number of months final yr, whereas quite a lot of journalists have been arrested or hit with hefty fines after reporting on corruption.
REWRITTEN TOGO CONSTITUTION BUCKED BY CITIZENS, STOKES DICTATORIAL FEARS
Amnesty Worldwide says authorities in Togo have repressed the media and prevented civilians from gathering to protest peacefully. (Photograph by Rod Lamkey Jr/SOPA Pictures/LightRocket through Getty Pictures)
Two journalists in Togo have been sentenced to 3 years in jail after reporting a few minister’s involvement in corruption, however each fled the nation to keep away from detention. The human rights group mentioned it had recorded cases during which detainees in jail have been tortured or mistreated.
The report comes at a time of heightened pressure in Togo, a rustic of about 8 million those that has been dominated by the identical household for nearly 60 years. Parliamentary elections have been pushed again till April 29, and the federal government have arrested opposition figures and quashed efforts to prepare protests forward of the vote.
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At subject is a proposed new structure that will scrap presidential elections completely, giving parliament the facility to decide on the president as a substitute. It’s awaiting log off by President Faure Gnassingbe. The opposition and the clergy say the laws is an effort by Gnassingbe to delay his rule after his mandate expires in 2025.
