Universal Periodic Review of Togo at the Human Rights Council
UK statement delivered on 24 October 2016.
The UPR takes place at the Palais des Nations, Geneva.
The United Kingdom congratulates Togo for last year’s election to the Council and looks forward to strengthening engagement on tackling global human rights violations and abuses.
We welcome Togo’s decision to accede to the 1989 Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR on the abolition of the death penalty.
We recognise Togo’s efforts to stop child trafficking, and urge the government to adopt a law, and establish a national commission, to fight human trafficking.
The UK notes Togo’s work to improve prison policies and calls on the government to do more to reduce prison overcrowding and for detainees to be treated humanely with access to food, water and medical care.
We also note progress on promoting democratic values and urge further reforms to support political pluralism, including constitutional reform and presidential term limits.
We recommend:
1) Ensure that allegations of arbitrary arrest and detention and torture are investigated promptly and thoroughly with suspected perpetrators brought to justice
2) Adopt and implement human trafficking legislation with a special focus on protecting children, in line with Togo’s obligations under the Optional Protocol to the CRC on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.