Togo
In early 2026, the human rights situation in Togo is defined by a significant structural shift in the country's governance and an escalating crackdown on the civic space that once showed signs of opening. The transition from a presidential to a parliamentary system in 2024/2025 has effectively solidified the 59-year rule of the Gnassingbé family, sparking widespread unrest and subsequent state repression.
Here are the primary human rights issues in Togo as of 2026:
1. The "Constitutional Coup" and Political Rights
The most significant development is the full implementation of the 2024 Constitution, which moved Togo to a parliamentary system.
Elimination of Direct Suffrage: Citizens no longer vote directly for the President. Power is now concentrated in the newly created role of President of the Council of Ministers, a position currently held by Faure Gnassingbé, which notably lacks the term limits that existed under the previous system.
Opposition Marginalization: Following the 2024 legislative elections—where the ruling UNIR party won 108 of 113 seats—opposition parties and the Roman Catholic Church (which was banned from election monitoring) have alleged massive fraud and the "capture of popular sovereignty."
2. Violent Suppression of Protests
Since the constitutional changes, the government has maintained a de facto ban on public demonstrations.
Lethal Force: In mid-2025 and early 2026, Amnesty International documented "unlawful use of force" by security forces in Lomé. Reports include civilian deaths—including children found in lagoons—with witnesses describing gunshots and beatings during chasses (chases) of young protesters.
Abductions: There has been a rise in "disappearances" where activists are taken from their homes by men in civilian clothes, often after posting critical content on social media platforms like TikTok.
3. Pervasive Torture and Impunity
Togo was classified in 2025 as a "Considerable Risk" zone on the Global Torture Index.
Systemic Abuse: Torture is frequently used to extract confessions or intimidate political opponents, particularly within the central criminal investigation units (SCRIC).
ECOWAS Condemnations: In 2025 alone, the ECOWAS Court of Justice condemned Togo multiple times for "cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment," including cases where women were detained in cells with men and an 8-year-old child was shot with tear gas, leading to an amputation. The state has a history of failing to pay the reparations ordered by these courts.
4. Severe Media Censorship
The High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) has become a primary tool for silencing the press.
Targeting Foreign Media: In 2025, the government suspended the accreditations of all foreign journalists and issued "final warnings" to outlets like France 24 and RFI for their reporting on the political crisis.
Digital Surveillance: Investigative reports have confirmed the government's use of sophisticated spyware to target the mobile phones of domestic journalists and activists.
The "Savanes" Blackout: A total media and information blackout remains in effect for the northern Savanes region, officially due to security concerns regarding spillover violence from Burkina Faso.
5. Overcrowding and Rights in Detention
The prison system is in a state of crisis due to the government's reliance on pretrial detention for political stabilization.
222% Occupancy: National prisons are operating at more than double their capacity. As of early 2026, over 70% of the prison population consists of pretrial detainees who have not yet seen a judge.
Inadequate Care: International monitors report that conditions in many facilities "amount to torture," with severe lack of sanitation and medical supplies.