The Togolese State is requested to release ten detainees arrested in 2019, following violence that the Togolese government denounced as an armed insurrection. The decision was made on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 by the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The Association of Victims of Torture in Togo (ASVITTO) denounced the torture, degrading and inhuman treatment to which these prisoners were subjected during their detention.
The NGO brought the case before the regional court whose magistrates heard the arguments and ordered the immediate release of these ten Togolese.
The ECOWAS Court also asks Lomé to investigate and arrest the perpetrators of the ill-treatment and, finally, to pay compensation to the victims.
A verdict that fully satisfies the president of ASVITTO, Monzolouwè Atcholi Kao: “It’s a feeling of satisfaction. All our requests have been taken into consideration and the right has been said before this court”.
“Obviously, we are already receiving calls from relatives of those arrested who express their total satisfaction and express their gratitude to us. This decision comes to console them. We hope that this time the state will sympathize to release them immediately and unconditionally,” Kao said.
“Knowing the state of mind of our authorities, we know that it is not going to be easy, but given that we already have a solid judicial basis, (namely) the decision of this court… We have authorities who do not don’t hear reason quickly, and we will also have to do some work, advocacy, so that this decision can be made, ”he added.
For the time being, the Togolese government has not yet reacted to this decision rendered by the Court of the Western African bloc.